Ironworker salary in Arkansas
Median $21.88 an hour for 1,080 structural iron and steel workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
$21.88/hrMedian hourly wageArkansas, May data
$45,510/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$15.59 – $29.5510th to 90th percentilehourly range
1,080Jobs countedemployer survey
Ironworker pay in Arkansas: the full range
Arkansas ranks 50th of 50 states for median ironworker pay, and 47th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.18). 1,080 structural iron and steel workers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $15.59 – $17.72 | $32,430 – $36,860 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $17.72 – $27.03 | $36,860 – $56,230 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $27.03 – $29.55 | $56,230 – $61,460 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Ironworker pay by metro in Arkansas
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $17.47 | $24.23 | $34.20 | 240 | 11% above |
| Fayetteville | $18.77 | $22.79 | $28.58 | 200 | 4% above |
| Little Rock | $17.24 | $22.43 | $28.38 | 310 | 3% above |
| Fort Smith | $15.00 | $21.74 | $26.67 | 40 | 1% below |
Ironworker wages in Arkansas over time
Table
| Year | Arkansas $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $11.57 | $22.36 | $17.19 | 880 |
| 2000 | $13.67 | $25.56 | $17.92 | 1,380 |
| 2001 | $13.28 | $24.14 | $18.72 | 1,110 |
| 2002 | $13.59 | $24.32 | $19.55 | 920 |
| 2003 | $13.21 | $23.11 | $19.58 | 1,050 |
| 2004 | $13.37 | $22.79 | $20.40 | 900 |
| 2005 | $13.59 | $22.40 | $19.51 | 700 |
| 2006 | $14.13 | $22.56 | $19.46 | 750 |
| 2007 | $13.75 | $21.35 | $20.26 | 880 |
| 2008 | $15.85 | $23.70 | $20.68 | 770 |
| 2009 | $18.61 | $27.93 | $21.40 | 890 |
| 2010 | $17.13 | $25.29 | $21.42 | 630 |
| 2011 | $16.50 | $23.62 | $21.97 | 670 |
| 2012 | $15.44 | $21.65 | $22.18 | 690 |
| 2013 | $16.87 | $23.31 | $22.36 | 760 |
| 2014 | $18.80 | $25.57 | $23.17 | 820 |
| 2015 | $18.38 | $24.97 | $24.28 | 830 |
| 2016 | $20.06 | $26.91 | $24.91 | 930 |
| 2017 | $18.74 | $24.61 | $25.30 | 850 |
| 2018 | $18.82 | $24.13 | $25.95 | 850 |
| 2019 | $17.24 | $21.71 | $26.46 | 570 |
| 2020 | $19.29 | $24.00 | $26.36 | 460 |
| 2021 | $22.62 | $26.88 | $28.15 | 370 |
| 2022 | $23.22 | $25.54 | $29.09 | 420 |
| 2023 | $23.44 | $24.77 | $30.17 | 590 |
| 2024 | $23.61 | $24.23 | $30.14 | 910 |
| 2025 | $21.88 | $21.88 | $30.18 | 1,080 |
In today's dollars, the median ironworker wage in Arkansas changed by -12.4% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for ironworkers in Arkansas
On federally funded construction in Arkansas, contractors must pay ironworkers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 55 of the 75 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $49.21 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $19.39). 20 of the 75 counties still use a survey rate dated 2017 or earlier (for example Benton County at $19.39). The market median for the state is $21.88.
Union contract rateSurvey rate
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Ashley | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Baxter | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Boone | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Bradley | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Calhoun | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Carroll | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Chicot | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Clark | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Clay | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260021 |
| Cleburne | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Columbia | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Conway | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Cross | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260021 |
| Dallas | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Desha | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Drew | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260004 |
| Franklin | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Fulton | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260021 |
| Greene | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260005 |
| Hempstead | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Hot Spring | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260006 |
| Howard | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Independence | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260007 |
| Izard | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Jackson | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260021 |
| Johnson | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260008 |
| Lafayette | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Lawrence | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Lee | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Logan | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Marion | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Mississippi | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Monroe | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Montgomery | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Nevada | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260009 |
| Newton | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Ouachita | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Phillips | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Pike | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Polk | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260010 |
| Pope | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260011 |
| Prairie | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260018 |
| Randolph | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260012 |
| St. Francis | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Scott | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Searcy | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260019 |
| Sevier | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260020 |
| Sharp | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Stone | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260022 |
| Union | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260013 |
| Van Buren | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260014 |
| White | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260015 |
| Woodruff | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260016 |
| Yell | Union IRON0321-010 2024-08-01 | $28.00 | $21.21 | $49.21 | AR20260017 |
| Pulaski | Survey SUAR2015-029 2017-01-09 | $19.84 | $0.00 | $19.84 | AR20260032 |
| Faulkner | Survey SUAR2015-024 2017-01-09 | $19.61 | $0.00 | $19.61 | AR20260027 |
| Grant | Survey SUAR2015-034 2017-01-09 | $19.61 | $0.00 | $19.61 | AR20260037 |
| Lonoke | Survey SUAR2015-026 2017-01-09 | $19.61 | $0.00 | $19.61 | AR20260029 |
| Perry | Survey SUAR2015-034 2017-01-09 | $19.61 | $0.00 | $19.61 | AR20260037 |
| Saline | Survey SUAR2015-030 2017-01-09 | $19.61 | $0.00 | $19.61 | AR20260033 |
| Garland | Survey SUAR2015-025 2017-01-09 | $19.53 | $0.00 | $19.53 | AR20260028 |
| Benton | Survey SUAR2015-020 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260023 |
| Cleveland | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260036 |
| Craighead | Survey SUAR2015-021 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260024 |
| Crawford | Survey SUAR2015-022 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260025 |
| Crittenden | Survey SUAR2015-023 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260026 |
| Jefferson | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260036 |
| Lincoln | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260036 |
| Little River | Survey SUAR2015-035 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260038 |
| Madison | Survey SUAR2015-027 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260030 |
| Miller | Survey SUAR2015-035 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260038 |
| Poinsett | Survey SUAR2015-028 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260031 |
| Sebastian | Survey SUAR2015-031 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260034 |
| Washington | Survey SUAR2015-032 2017-01-09 | $19.39 | $0.00 | $19.39 | AR20260035 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Arkansas prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Arkansas?
68.3kConstruction jobsArkansas, 2026-08
+2.2%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Keep comparing
Ironworker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Arkansas
Questions this page answers
How much do ironworkers make in Arkansas?
The median ironworker in Arkansas earned $21.88 an hour ($45,510 a year) in May 2025, 28% below the national median of $30.18. The middle half earn $17.72–$27.03; the top 10% earn more than $29.55.
Where does Arkansas rank for ironworker pay?
Arkansas ranks 50th of 50 states for ironworker pay, with a median of $21.88 an hour, and 47th after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (BEA price parity 86.9, US = 100).
What is the union ironworker rate in Arkansas?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for ironworkers in 55 counties, with a typical package of $49.21 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many ironworkers work in Arkansas?
BLS counted 1,080 structural iron and steel workers in Arkansas in May 2025, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.88; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Arkansas and metro areas, SOC 47-2221.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.