Ironworker salary in District of Columbia
Median $29.44 an hour for 210 structural iron and steel workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 2008.
Ironworker pay in District of Columbia: the full range
District of Columbia ranks 30th of 50 states for median ironworker pay, and 42nd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.79). 210 structural iron and steel workers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $27.95 – $29.44 | $58,130 – $61,240 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $29.44 – $37.93 | $61,240 – $78,900 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $37.93 – $44.74 | $78,900 – $93,070 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Ironworker pay by metro in District of Columbia
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $24.39 | $32.85 | $41.04 | 1,060 | 12% above |
Ironworker wages in District of Columbia over time
Table
| Year | District of Columbia $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $28.79 | $43.05 | $20.68 | — |
| 2009 | — | — | $21.40 | 90 |
| 2010 | $21.32 | $31.48 | $21.42 | — |
| 2011 | $20.89 | $29.90 | $21.97 | 80 |
| 2012 | $20.12 | $28.21 | $22.18 | 90 |
| 2013 | $23.35 | $32.27 | $22.36 | 90 |
| 2014 | $27.33 | $37.17 | $23.17 | 170 |
| 2015 | $28.27 | $38.40 | $24.28 | 230 |
| 2016 | $27.02 | $36.24 | $24.91 | 240 |
| 2017 | $27.05 | $35.53 | $25.30 | 130 |
| 2018 | $27.52 | $35.28 | $25.95 | 200 |
| 2019 | $31.91 | $40.18 | $26.46 | 110 |
| 2020 | $31.17 | $38.77 | $26.36 | 110 |
| 2021 | $30.71 | $36.49 | $28.15 | 210 |
| 2022 | $29.33 | $32.27 | $29.09 | 480 |
| 2023 | $29.97 | $31.67 | $30.17 | 320 |
| 2024 | $29.77 | $30.55 | $30.14 | 130 |
| 2025 | $29.44 | $29.44 | $30.18 | 210 |
In today's dollars, the median ironworker wage in District of Columbia changed by -23.3% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for ironworkers in District of Columbia
On federally funded construction in District of Columbia, contractors must pay ironworkers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 1 of the 1 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $63.72 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $29.44.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Union IRON0005-005 2024-06-01 | $37.86 | $25.86 | $63.72 | DC20260002 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the District of Columbia prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in District of Columbia?
Keep comparing
Ironworker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in District of Columbia
Questions this page answers
How much do ironworkers make in District of Columbia?
The median ironworker in District of Columbia earned $29.44 an hour ($61,240 a year) in May 2025, 2% below the national median of $30.18. The middle half earn $29.44–$37.93; the top 10% earn more than $44.74.
Where does District of Columbia rank for ironworker pay?
District of Columbia ranks 30th of 50 states for ironworker pay, with a median of $29.44 an hour, and 42nd after adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living (BEA price parity 109.9, US = 100).
What is the union ironworker rate in District of Columbia?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for ironworkers in 1 counties, with a typical package of $63.72 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many ironworkers work in District of Columbia?
BLS counted 210 structural iron and steel workers in District of Columbia in May 2025, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.70; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, District of Columbia 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.