Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary in California
Structural Iron and Steel Workers in California earn a median of $76,370 a year ($36.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,030 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $62,780. California ranks 16th of 50 states for structural iron and steel workers pay. There are 0.39 structural iron and steel workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for structural iron and steel workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Median | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| 75th percentile | $103,980 | $49.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,030 | $56.75 |
| Average (mean) | $80,920 | $38.91 |
Half of structural iron and steel workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,364.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,182.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,937.31 |
| Weekly | $1,468.65 |
| Hourly | $36.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,440 | 330 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,900 | 150 |
| Chico, CA | $88,070 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,340 | 800 |
| Fresno, CA | $80,110 | 180 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,040 | 2,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,760 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,400 | 740 |
| Modesto, CA | $75,820 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $75,380 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $74,890 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $72,790 | 1,120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $70,400 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $63,150 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $60,080 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for structural iron and steel workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 |
| New Jersey | $113,220 |
| Washington | $107,660 |
| Illinois | $101,850 |
| Hawaii | $99,860 |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 |
| Oregon | $96,050 |
| Minnesota | $95,320 |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 |
| New York | $92,610 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2221. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural iron and steel workers make in California?
The median salary for structural iron and steel workers in California is $76,370 a year, or $36.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid structural iron and steel workers make in California?
The top 10% of structural iron and steel workers in California earn at least $118,030 a year. The top 25% earn $103,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for structural iron and steel workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,480 a year, and a quarter of structural iron and steel workers earn $59,220 or less.
How many structural iron and steel workers work in California?
About 7,110 structural iron and steel workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.