Ironworker Salary - Pacific Coast
High-cost coastal markets with significant employment volume
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 Pacific Coast is a high-paying region for ironworkers. Washington carries a median of $107,660, Oregon $96,050, and California $76,370. Hawaii carries $99,860. Iron Workers presence, dense commercial construction, and major infrastructure projects support wages across the region.
Iron Workers locals represent structural steel erection across the Pacific Coast. Seattle and Portland have Iron Workers locals. California is mixed, heavily unionized in major metros, less so in other markets. Hawaii maintains union contracts. Alaska has smaller employment numbers.
Cost of living on the Pacific Coast is high. 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. Washington carries a median of $107,660, and Oregon carries a median of $96,050. 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, including 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 destination for traveling ironworkers. Washington and Oregon Iron Workers locals actively recruit travelers for major commercial and infrastructure projects. Hawaii's 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 a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| 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.