SOC 47-2221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Structural Iron and Steel Workers — North Carolina
North Carolina · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in North Carolina is $48,740 per year, 22.4% below the national median of $62,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in North Carolina is $48,740 per year, 22.4% below the national median of $62,780. Half of workers earn between $44,120 and $58,330. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,780 and the ninetieth at $79,130.
The area has 2,000 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. North Carolina ranks number 46th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $57,810. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 451st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,780 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $44,120 | −29.7% |
| Median (50th) | $48,740 | −22.4% |
| 75th | $58,330 | −7.1% |
| 90th | $79,130 | +26.0% |
| Mean | $53,250 | −15.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $57,810 | 100 | |
| 2 | Greensboro | $49,490 | 170 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $48,290 | 550 | |
| 4 | Winston-Salem | $47,730 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $48,740 goes as far as $51,686 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,686US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,740 a year, 22.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,780 to $79,130 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,000 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $57,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $48,740, or $23.43 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 North Carolina is 22.4% lower. 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 North Carolina earns more than $79,130 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,780 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 Durham, at $57,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,000 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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