Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Structural Iron and Steel Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $102,350 a year ($49.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,530 for the top 10%. That is 63% higher than the national median of $62,780. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $101,850. There are 0.47 structural iron and steel workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,620, close to the median.
Pay range for structural iron and steel workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| 25th percentile | $83,630 | $40.21 |
| Median | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| 75th percentile | $121,760 | $58.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Average (mean) | $100,620 | $48.38 |
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 | $8,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,264.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,936.54 |
| Weekly | $1,968.27 |
| Hourly | $49.21 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | $100,290 | 190 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $82,480 | 30 |
| Springfield, IL | $81,750 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $81,640 | 670 |
| Peoria, IL | $80,060 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,090 | 90 |
| Evansville, IN | $76,090 | 180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $75,700 | 480 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $73,640 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $70,140 | 1,110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $69,280 | 310 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $67,530 | 190 |
| Decatur, IL | $64,830 | 40 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $62,390 | 80 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $52,140 | 30 |
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 |
See Structural Iron and Steel Workers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Electrician | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | $38.68 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $103,100 | $49.57 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Roofer | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $95,310 | $45.82 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $70,370 | $33.83 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $80,340 | $38.63 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for structural iron and steel workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $102,350 a year, or $49.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid structural iron and steel workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of structural iron and steel workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $124,530 a year. The top 25% earn $121,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for structural iron and steel workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,620 a year, and a quarter of structural iron and steel workers earn $83,630 or less.
How many structural iron and steel workers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,120 structural iron and steel workers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.