Ironworker Salary - Northeast
High union density and established apprenticeship programs
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 Northeast is a high-paying region for structural ironworkers. Massachusetts carries a median of $120,840, driven by Boston's Iron Workers locals and dense commercial high-rise construction. Rhode Island carries a median of $98,320. The region's commercial construction density and union presence support demand for ironworkers.
Iron Workers locals represent structural steel erection across the Northeast. Providence, Hartford, and Portland all have active ironworker locals. The region's ironworker culture is deeply rooted in union tradition going back generations. Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ironworker apprenticeship programs.
Cost of living in the Northeast is high. Massachusetts posts a COL index of 147.8. Rhode Island at 111.2 and Connecticut at 114.2 are also above average.
- →High-rise commercial and residential tower construction in Boston, creating consistent demand for structural ironworkers
- →Life sciences and research facility construction requiring structural steel in the Boston metro
- →Bridge and infrastructure rehabilitation across the region's aging transportation network
- →Stadium and arena construction and renovation across major Northeast metros
- →Wind energy tower erection along the New England coast
The Northeast is a destination for traveling ironworkers. Massachusetts Iron Workers locals actively recruit travelers for major commercial projects. The work is demanding. Rhode Island and Connecticut are more accessible markets for travelers. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings in Boston.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 +$58,060 vs. national | 147.8 | $81,759 +$18,979 vs. national |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 +$35,540 vs. national | 111.2 | $88,417 +$25,637 vs. national |
| Connecticut | $62,400 -$380 vs. national | 114.2 | $54,641 -$8,139 vs. national |
| Maine | $61,750 -$1,030 vs. national | 114.6 | $53,883 -$8,897 vs. national |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 -$2,860 vs. national | 110.1 | $54,423 -$8,357 vs. national |
| Vermont | $55,640 -$7,140 vs. national | 113.0 | $49,239 -$13,541 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Ironworkers - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
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