SOC 47-2221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Structural Iron and Steel Workers — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 3 metro areas compared
At $78,800 a year, the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Iowa City, IA sits 25.5% above the national figure of $62,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $78,800 a year, the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Iowa City, IA sits 25.5% above the national figure of $62,780. Half of workers earn between $53,460 and $78,800. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,060 and the ninetieth at $80,150.
Des Moines leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $80,080. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 75th of 296 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,060 | −20.3% |
| 25th | $53,460 | −14.8% |
| Median (50th) | $78,800 | +25.5% |
| 75th | $78,800 | +25.5% |
| 90th | $80,150 | +27.7% |
| Mean | $67,860 | +8.1% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $80,080 | — | |
| 2 | Davenport | $79,090 | 90 | |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $75,380 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $78,800 goes as far as $89,749 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 43.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$89,749US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,800 a year, 25.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,060 to $80,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- 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 City, IA?
The median annual wage is $78,800, or $37.88 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 City, IA is 25.5% 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 City, IA earns more than $80,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,060 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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