Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary in Illinois
Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Illinois earn a median of $101,850 a year ($48.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,450 for the top 10%. That is 62% higher than the national median of $62,780. Illinois ranks 4th of 50 states for structural iron and steel workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 structural iron and steel workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,680, close to the median.
Pay range for structural iron and steel workers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| 25th percentile | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Median | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| 75th percentile | $120,640 | $58.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,450 | $59.83 |
| Average (mean) | $98,680 | $47.44 |
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 | $8,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,243.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,917.31 |
| Weekly | $1,958.65 |
| Hourly | $48.97 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,350 | 2,120 |
| 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 |
| Decatur, IL | $64,830 | 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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Carpenter | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Roofer | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $100,400 | $48.27 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $73,060 | $35.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for structural iron and steel workers in Illinois is $101,850 a year, or $48.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid structural iron and steel workers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of structural iron and steel workers in Illinois earn at least $124,450 a year. The top 25% earn $120,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for structural iron and steel workers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,830 a year, and a quarter of structural iron and steel workers earn $81,750 or less.
How many structural iron and steel workers work in Illinois?
About 2,740 structural iron and steel workers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.