Structural Iron and Steel Workers Salary
The median pay for a structural iron and steel workers in Appleton, WI is $93,960/year ($45.17/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.42), which stretches that salary to about $101,666 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,236/month, or 20.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $94K get you in Appleton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Appleton’s Regional Price Parity (92.42). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About structural iron and steel workers
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What this looks like in Appleton
Appleton sits well above the national pay line for structural iron and steel workers, local pay runs about 50% higher than the U.S. median of $63K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,236/month, 21% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.42 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Appleton offers a genuinely strong financial position for structural iron and steel workerss at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for structural iron and steel workers in metros near Appleton, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $96K | $99K |
| Madison | $92K | $95K |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $100K | $109K |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $80K | $87K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Appleton, WI
Entry-level structural iron and steel workers (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $94K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121K | +92% | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $113K | +80% | 1,060 |
| Washington | $108K | +71% | 850 |
| Illinois | $102K | +62% | 2,740 |
| Hawaii | $100K | +59% | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +57% | 360 |
| Oregon | $96K | +53% | 570 |
| Minnesota | $95K | +52% | 910 |
| Wisconsin | $93K | +48% | 710 |
| New York | $93K | +48% | 2,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $83K | +32% | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $82K | +31% | 270 |
| Missouri | $77K | +23% | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $77K | +23% | N/A |
| Alaska | $77K | +23% | 120 |
| California | $76K | +22% | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $75K | +19% | 2,290 |
| Idaho | $73K | +16% | 500 |
| West Virginia | $72K | +14% | 150 |
| Maryland | $72K | +14% | 710 |
| Indiana | $70K | +12% | 2,750 |
| Louisiana | $69K | +10% | 1,180 |
| Montana | $67K | +7% | 130 |
| Nebraska | $65K | +4% | 610 |
| Kentucky | $64K | +2% | 990 |
| Michigan | $63K | +0% | 1,750 |
| Nevada | $63K | -0% | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $62K | -1% | 330 |
| Maine | $62K | -2% | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $61K | -2% | 210 |
| Virginia | $60K | -4% | 2,300 |
| New Hampshire | $60K | -5% | 220 |
| Delaware | $60K | -5% | 90 |
| Arizona | $59K | -5% | 3,980 |
| Colorado | $59K | -6% | 860 |
| Kansas | $59K | -7% | 260 |
| Utah | $58K | -7% | 1,630 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -9% | 440 |
| Tennessee | $57K | -10% | 1,240 |
| Alabama | $57K | -10% | 1,740 |
| Florida | $56K | -11% | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $56K | -11% | 50 |
| Texas | $52K | -17% | 9,700 |
| South Carolina | $51K | -19% | 660 |
| Mississippi | $51K | -19% | 480 |
| North Carolina | $49K | -22% | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $48K | -23% | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $48K | -24% | 1,140 |
| Wyoming | $47K | -24% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -28% | 1,080 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track structural iron and steel workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Appleton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a structural iron and steel worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Appleton?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 21% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,236/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for structural iron and steel workers in Appleton?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new structural iron and steel workers typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,642/month. At HUD’s $1,236/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is structural iron and steel worker a high-paying job in Appleton?
Local pay is 50% above the national median — $94K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Appleton compare to the national average for structural iron and steel workers?
Appleton pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +50%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.42), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do structural iron and steel workers make in Appleton, WI?
The median is $93,960 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,700, and experienced structural iron and steel workers can clear $93,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Appleton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,879/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,236/month, which eats 21% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a structural iron and steel workers salary go in Appleton?
Appleton has a Regional Price Parity of 92.42 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median structural iron and steel workers salary is worth about $101,666 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do structural iron and steel workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.