Ironworker Salary - Pacific Coast
Oregon and Washington lead the nation, California adds volume
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 Pacific Coast is the highest-paying region for ironworkers in the country alongside the Northeast. Washington leads at $107,660 median -- the second highest nationally -- followed by Oregon at $96,050 and California at $76,370. Hawaii at $99,860 and Rhode Island-adjacent Massachusetts both rank at the top nationally. Strong AIAW presence, dense commercial construction, and major infrastructure projects drive wages well above the national median.
AIAW locals dominate structural steel erection across the Pacific Coast. Washington and Oregon are among the most unionized ironworker markets in the country. Seattle and Portland AIAW locals pay some of the highest ironworker scale rates in North America. California is mixed -- heavily unionized in major metros, less so in other markets. Hawaii maintains strong union contracts. Alaska has smaller employment numbers but strong project-based union rates.
Cost of living is the significant caveat on Pacific Coast ironworker wages. California at 140.5 COL, Washington at 114.6, and Oregon at 109.6 are all above the national average. Hawaii at 184.8 is extreme. However the ironworker wage premium in Washington and Oregon is large enough -- $107,660 and $96,050 medians -- that net purchasing power remains strong even with above-average housing costs. Travelers should run the numbers carefully for California and Hawaii.
- →Commercial high-rise and mixed-use construction in Seattle, Portland, and the Bay Area
- →Major infrastructure projects -- bridges, transit systems, and port facilities -- across the Pacific Coast
- →Data center and industrial facility structural steel in the Pacific Northwest
- →Semiconductor and manufacturing facility construction in Oregon and Washington
- →Hawaii's resort and commercial construction driving consistent ironworker demand
The Pacific Coast is a top destination for traveling ironworkers. Washington and Oregon AIAW locals pay some of the highest scale rates in North America and actively recruit travelers for major commercial and infrastructure projects. Seattle and Portland are the primary targets. Hawaii offers exceptional wages but remoteness and cost of living require careful consideration. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro before making the trip.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107,660 +$44,880 vs. national | 114.6 | $93,944 +$31,164 vs. national |
| Hawaii | $99,860 +$37,080 vs. national | 184.8 | $54,037 $-8,743 vs. national |
| Oregon | $96,050 +$33,270 vs. national | 109.6 | $87,637 +$24,857 vs. national |
| Alaska | $76,970 +$14,190 vs. national | 129.0 | $59,667 $-3,113 vs. national |
| California | $76,370 +$13,590 vs. national | 140.5 | $54,356 $-8,424 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.