Ironworker Salary - Mountain West
Smaller markets with growing demand, Colorado and Nevada leading wages
Wage figures reflect all ironworkers across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Mountain West is a smaller market for ironworkers by employment volume but several states punch above their weight on wages. Idaho at $72,750 and Colorado at $58,830 lead the region. The mining, energy, and industrial sectors create niche demand for ironworkers well above residential construction rates. Population growth is driving commercial construction in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Boise that is beginning to create more consistent structural ironworker demand.
AIAW union density in the Mountain West is moderate and concentrated in major construction markets. Denver's ironworker locals cover commercial high-rise and infrastructure work. Las Vegas has ironworker activity driven by casino and resort construction. Salt Lake City has a growing market. The mining and energy sectors across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Idaho create industrial ironworker demand that is often union-affiliated on major projects.
Cost of living in the Mountain West has risen with population growth. Colorado at 101.8 and Nevada at 100.7 are near the national average. Idaho at 101.7 has appreciated significantly. Montana at 105.9 and Wyoming at 93.7 vary by market. For ironworkers, Wyoming's energy sector projects offer the best combination of strong project rates and affordable living in the region.
- →Commercial high-rise and mixed-use construction in Denver and Salt Lake City
- →Casino and resort structural steel construction in Las Vegas
- →Mining and energy sector structural ironwork across Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado
- →Bridge and infrastructure construction across the region
- →Wind energy tower erection across Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana
Denver and Las Vegas are the primary destinations for traveling ironworkers in the Mountain West. Both markets have active commercial construction and AIAW locals that recruit travelers on major projects. Wyoming and Montana energy and mining projects offer strong per diem for travelers willing to work remote locations. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $72,750 +$9,970 vs. national | 101.7 | $71,534 +$8,754 vs. national |
| Montana | $67,390 +$4,610 vs. national | 105.9 | $63,636 +$856 vs. national |
| Nevada | $62,510 $-270 vs. national | 100.7 | $62,075 $-705 vs. national |
| Colorado | $58,830 $-3,950 vs. national | 101.8 | $57,790 $-4,990 vs. national |
| Utah | $58,250 $-4,530 vs. national | 100.6 | $57,903 $-4,877 vs. national |
| Wyoming | $47,480 $-15,300 vs. national | 93.7 | $50,672 $-12,108 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.