Ironworker Salary - Southeast
Large employment base, right-to-work states, wages near or below national median
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 Southeast has a large ironworker workforce by headcount driven by Texas's commercial and industrial construction activity, but wages across the region cluster well below the national median of $62,780. Right-to-work laws and non-union structural steel erection dominate most Southeast markets. The exception is industrial work -- refineries, petrochemical plants, and power generation facilities -- where ironworker union contractors are more prevalent and pay significantly above state medians.
AIAW union density is low across most of the Southeast. Right-to-work legislation dominates and non-union structural steel contractors handle most commercial construction. AIAW locals exist in major metros -- Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Houston, and Miami -- but market share is limited compared to Northeast and Midwest markets. Industrial work along the Gulf Coast and in major industrial corridors is the exception, where union contractors are more common on heavy industrial projects.
The Southeast is the most affordable region for ironworkers. Tennessee at 88.9, Georgia at 90.6, and most Southeast states are well below the national average. The affordability advantage partially compensates for below-median wages. For traveling ironworkers targeting Gulf Coast industrial work, the combination of above-median project rates and affordable housing in Texas makes it a viable destination.
- →Commercial and industrial construction across Texas driven by energy sector and population growth
- →Bridge and highway infrastructure construction across the region
- →Industrial facility structural steel in Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast refineries and petrochemical plants
- →High-rise commercial construction in Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Miami
- →Stadium and arena construction across major Southeast metros
The Southeast offers work volume but wages below union market rates. Texas industrial ironwork -- refineries and petrochemical plants -- is the standout exception with rates and per diem well above the state median. Gulf Coast industrial projects have drawn ironworkers from across the country. For travelers the Gulf Coast industrial market is the target in this region. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Texas and Louisiana industrial 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $71,850 +$9,070 vs. national | 87.9 | $81,741 +$18,961 vs. national |
| Louisiana | $68,830 +$6,050 vs. national | 91.1 | $75,554 +$12,774 vs. national |
| Kentucky | $64,060 +$1,280 vs. national | 92.5 | $69,254 +$6,474 vs. national |
| Virginia | $60,260 $-2,520 vs. national | 99.1 | $60,807 $-1,973 vs. national |
| Tennessee | $56,750 $-6,030 vs. national | 88.9 | $63,836 +$1,056 vs. national |
| Alabama | $56,640 $-6,140 vs. national | 85.0 | $66,635 +$3,855 vs. national |
| Florida | $55,700 $-7,080 vs. national | 100.7 | $55,313 $-7,467 vs. national |
| South Carolina | $50,750 $-12,030 vs. national | 91.9 | $55,223 $-7,557 vs. national |
| Mississippi | $50,690 $-12,090 vs. national | 86.2 | $58,805 $-3,975 vs. national |
| North Carolina | $48,740 $-14,040 vs. national | 96.6 | $50,455 $-12,325 vs. national |
| Georgia | $48,090 $-14,690 vs. national | 90.6 | $53,079 $-9,701 vs. national |
| Arkansas | $45,510 $-17,270 vs. national | 89.1 | $51,077 $-11,703 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.