SOC 47-2221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Structural Iron and Steel Workers — Iowa
Iowa · 4 metro areas compared
In Iowa the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers is $77,400 a year, which is 23.3% higher than the national figure of $62,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Iowa the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers is $77,400 a year, which is 23.3% higher than the national figure of $62,780. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $65,160 and $80,080. The lowest tenth earn under $59,120, while the highest tenth earn more than $81,240.
Iowa ranks number 14th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $80,080. Of the 711 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 191st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,120 | −5.8% |
| 25th | $65,160 | +3.8% |
| Median (50th) | $77,400 | +23.3% |
| 75th | $80,080 | +27.6% |
| 90th | $81,240 | +29.4% |
| Mean | $73,110 | +16.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $80,080 | — | |
| 2 | Davenport | $79,090 | 90 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $78,800 | — | |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $75,380 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $77,400 goes as far as $88,155 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 40.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$88,155US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,400 a year, 23.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,120 to $81,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 14th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $80,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $77,400, or $37.21 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,780, so pay in Iowa is 23.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa earns more than $81,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,120 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Des Moines, at $80,080 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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