Structural Iron and Steel Workers Salary
The median pay for a structural iron and steel workers in Iowa is $77,400/year ($37.21/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $87,103 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 20.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Iowa?
About structural iron and steel workers
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What this looks like in Iowa
Iowa sits well above the national pay line for structural iron and steel workers, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $63K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 21.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Iowa offers a genuinely strong financial position for structural iron and steel workerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level structural iron and steel workers (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary by metro in Iowa
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $80K | +3% | N/A |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $79K | +2% | 90 |
| Iowa City | $79K | +2% | N/A |
| Cedar Rapids | $75K | -3% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track structural iron and steel workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a structural iron and steel worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 21.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for structural iron and steel workers in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new structural iron and steel workers typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,547/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is structural iron and steel worker a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $77K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for structural iron and steel workers?
Iowa pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do structural iron and steel workers make in Iowa?
The median is $77,400 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,120, and experienced structural iron and steel workers can clear $81,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,904/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 21.7% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $87,103 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.