Structural Iron and Steel Workers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Structural Iron and Steel Workers out-earn Construction Laborers by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Structural Iron and Steel Workers land at $62,780 and Construction Laborers 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 Workers is Massachusetts ($120,840); for Construction Laborers 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 Workers or Construction Laborers?
Structural Iron and Steel Workers earn more nationally. The median is $62,780 for Structural Iron and Steel Workers versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Structural Iron and Steel Workers or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 4.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Workers get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Structural Iron and Steel Workers 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 Workers earn $120,840 vs. $63,390 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.