Ironworker Salary - Mid-Atlantic
Dense metro construction markets from New York through Washington
Wage figures on this page reflect all ironworkers counted by the BLS, across union and non-union work, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. The BLS does not publish a separate journey-level tier. State figures are medians: half of workers earn more, half earn less.
The Mid-Atlantic is a region for ironworkers driven by New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. New Jersey carries a median of $113,220, reflecting NYC metro union scale rates. New York carries $92,610 and DC $61,240. The density of commercial high-rise construction and infrastructure work creates consistent demand for structural ironworkers across the region.
Iron Workers locals represent structural steel erection across the Mid-Atlantic. New York City has ironworker locals. New Jersey locals benefit directly from NYC metro construction activity. Philadelphia ironworker locals cover a large geographic jurisdiction across eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. DC ironworkers benefit from consistent federal and commercial construction demand. The Mid-Atlantic has a long ironworker union tradition.
Cost of living is high across the Mid-Atlantic. New Jersey at 118.8 and New York at 124.7 are well above average. DC at 134.3 and Maryland at 121.1 are also expensive. Delaware sits at 101.7, and Pennsylvania at 96.2.
- →Commercial high-rise and mixed-use construction in New York City, creating consistent large-scale structural steel work
- →Bridge and infrastructure construction and rehabilitation across the region
- →Federal and commercial construction in the DC metro
- →Data center and industrial facility structural steel in Northern Virginia
- →Stadium and arena construction and renovation
The Mid-Atlantic is a destination for traveling ironworkers. New Jersey and New York City have Iron Workers locals. NYC has strict jurisdictional requirements. Verify reciprocity before making the trip. Philadelphia and DC are more accessible markets for travelers. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living: what a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $113,220 +$50,440 vs. national | 118.8 | $95,303 +$32,523 vs. national |
| New York | $92,610 +$29,830 vs. national | 124.7 | $74,266 +$11,486 vs. national |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 +$20,190 vs. national | 96.2 | $86,247 +$23,467 vs. national |
| Maryland | $71,730 +$8,950 vs. national | 121.1 | $59,232 -$3,548 vs. national |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 -$1,540 vs. national | 134.3 | $45,599 -$17,181 vs. national |
| Delaware | $59,820 -$2,960 vs. national | 101.7 | $58,820 -$3,960 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Ironworkers - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.