Structural Iron and Steel Workers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Structural Iron and Steel Workerss out-earn Construction Laborerss by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Structural Iron and Steel Workerss land at $62,780 and Construction Laborerss at $47,120. The education gap is real: structural iron and steel worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Structural Iron and Steel Workerss is Massachusetts ($120,840); for Construction Laborerss it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Structural Iron and Steel Workers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Structural Iron and Steel Workerss or Construction Laborerss?
Structural Iron and Steel Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $62,780 for Structural Iron and Steel Workerss versus $47,120 for Construction Laborerss, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Structural Iron and Steel Workers or Construction Laborers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Structural Iron and Steel Workers or Construction Laborers?
Structural Iron and Steel Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Structural Iron and Steel Workerss get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Structural Iron and Steel Workerss at $120,840/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Structural Iron and Steel Workers vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Structural Iron and Steel Workerss earn $120,840 vs. $63,390 for Construction Laborerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.