Skilled Wages

Ironworker salary in Michigan

Median $30.21 an hour for 1,750 structural iron and steel workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.

$30.21/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$62,830/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$19.84 – $38.0510th to 90th percentilehourly range
1,750Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-09-28

Ironworker pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMichigan: 10th $19.84 · 25th $23.22 · median $30.21 · 75th $36.42 · 90th $38.05Michigan$30.21$19.84$38.05United States: 10th $21.43 · 25th $23.98 · median $30.18 · 75th $39.74 · 90th $52.05United States$30.18
Hourly wage percentiles for structural iron and steel workers: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 26th of 50 states for median ironworker pay, and 26th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $31.40). 1,750 structural iron and steel workers work in the state.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry$19.84 – $23.22$41,260 – $48,290roughly the 10th–25th percentile
Journeyman$23.22 – $36.42$48,290 – $75,750the middle half, around the median
Master / foreman / specialist$36.42 – $38.05$75,750 – $79,150the 75th–90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Ironworker pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrSouth Bend: $35.41South Bend$35.41Grand Rapids: $31.37Grand Rapids$31.37Detroit: $30.23Detroit$30.23Saginaw: $27.07Saginaw$27.07
Median hourly wage for structural iron and steel workers by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hr90thJobsvs state
South Bend$22.99$35.41$44.745017% above
Grand Rapids$22.62$31.37$36.532304% above
Detroit$19.84$30.23$38.05930about the same as
Saginaw$18.48$27.07$38.5210010% below

Ironworker wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$30.21Michigan$30.18United States
Median hourly wage for structural iron and steel workers, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$21.74$42.01$17.194,330
2000$23.85$44.59$17.922,430
2001$24.41$44.37$18.722,010
2002$24.44$43.74$19.552,430
2003$24.85$43.48$19.582,000
2004$24.44$41.65$20.402,020
2005$24.21$39.91$19.511,750
2006$23.45$37.45$19.461,360
2007$25.52$39.63$20.261,460
2008$26.39$39.46$20.681,390
2009$26.97$40.47$21.401,360
2010$26.18$38.65$21.421,120
2011$25.42$36.38$21.971,070
2012$22.46$31.49$22.181,000
2013$21.97$30.36$22.361,170
2014$22.33$30.37$23.171,280
2015$24.21$32.88$24.281,220
2016$24.14$32.38$24.911,450
2017$24.47$32.14$25.301,680
2018$26.62$34.13$25.951,770
2019$28.25$35.57$26.461,620
2020$29.73$36.98$26.361,340
2021$29.02$34.48$28.152,150
2022$31.22$34.34$29.092,130
2023$32.17$33.99$30.171,840
2024$30.73$31.54$30.142,010
2025$30.21$30.21$30.181,750

In today's dollars, the median ironworker wage in Michigan changed by -8.1% over the last ten years of data.

Union scale and prevailing wage for ironworkers in Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay ironworkers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 79 of the 83 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $68.17 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $23.01). 4 of the 83 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Barry County at $23.01). The market median for the state is $30.21.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $72.48 (union)Alger: $68.17 (union)Allegan: $66.06 (union)Alpena: $72.48 (union)Antrim: $66.06 (union)Arenac: $72.48 (union)Baraga: $68.17 (union)Barry: $23.01 (survey)Bay: $72.48 (union)Benzie: $66.06 (union)Berrien: $54.59 (union)Branch: $66.06 (union)Calhoun: $66.06 (union)Cass: $54.59 (union)Charlevoix: $66.06 (union)Cheboygan: $72.48 (union)Chippewa: $68.17 (union)Clare: $72.48 (union)Clinton: $72.15 (union)Crawford: $72.48 (union)Delta: $68.17 (union)Dickinson: $68.17 (union)Eaton: $66.06 (union)Emmet: $66.06 (union)Genesee: $72.48 (union)Gladwin: $72.48 (union)Gogebic: $68.17 (union)Grand Traverse: $66.06 (union)Gratiot: $72.48 (union)Hillsdale: $66.06 (union)Houghton: $68.17 (union)Huron: $72.48 (union)Ingham: $72.15 (union)Ionia: $23.01 (survey)Iosco: $72.48 (union)Iron: $68.17 (union)Isabella: $72.48 (union)Jackson: $72.48 (union)Kalamazoo: $66.06 (union)Kalkaska: $66.06 (union)Kent: $22.91 (survey)Keweenaw: $68.17 (union)Lake: $66.06 (union)Lapeer: $72.48 (union)Leelanau: $66.06 (union)Lenawee: $64.70 (union)Livingston: $72.48 (union)Luce: $68.17 (union)Mackinac: $68.17 (union)Macomb: $72.48 (union)Manistee: $66.06 (union)Marquette: $68.17 (union)Mason: $66.06 (union)Mecosta: $66.06 (union)Menominee: $68.17 (union)Midland: $57.45 (union)Missaukee: $66.06 (union)Monroe: $64.70 (union)Montcalm: $66.06 (union)Montmorency: $72.48 (union)Muskegon: $66.06 (union)Newaygo: $23.01 (survey)Oakland: $72.48 (union)Oceana: $66.06 (union)Ogemaw: $72.48 (union)Ontonagon: $68.17 (union)Osceola: $66.06 (union)Oscoda: $72.48 (union)Otsego: $72.48 (union)Ottawa: $66.06 (union)Presque Isle: $72.48 (union)Roscommon: $72.48 (union)Saginaw: $72.48 (union)St. Clair: $72.48 (union)St. Joseph: $66.06 (union)Sanilac: $72.48 (union)Schoolcraft: $68.17 (union)Shiawassee: $72.48 (union)Tuscola: $72.48 (union)Van Buren: $66.06 (union)Washtenaw: $72.48 (union)Wayne: $72.48 (union)Wexford: $66.06 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$66.06$68.97survey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for ironworkers by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (union)$20$40$60$80/hrSaginaw (Saginaw): market median $27.07, prevailing (union) $72.48, gap +$45.41Saginaw (Saginaw)+$45.41Bay (Michigan): market median $30.21, prevailing (union) $72.48, gap +$42.27Bay (Michigan)+$42.27Lapeer (Detroit): market median $30.23, prevailing (union) $72.48, gap +$42.25Lapeer (Detroit)+$42.25Montcalm (Grand Rapids): market median $31.37, prevailing (union) $66.06, gap +$34.69Montcalm (Grand Rapids)+$34.69Cass (South Bend): market median $35.41, prevailing (union) $54.59, gap +$19.18Cass (South Bend)+$19.18
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for ironworkers, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
AlconaUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260102
AlpenaUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260105
ArenacUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260107
BayUnion IRON0025-019 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260077
CheboyganUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260112
ClareUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260114
CrawfordUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260115
GeneseeUnion IRON0025-019 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260083
GladwinUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260119
GratiotUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260122
HuronUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260125
IoscoUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260126
IsabellaUnion IRON0025-010 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260127
JacksonUnion IRON0025-019 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260086
LapeerUnion IRON0025-019 2025-06-01$36.55$35.93$72.48MI20260089

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

211.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-08
-1.7%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025211kAug 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Ironworker pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do ironworkers make in Michigan?

The median ironworker in Michigan earned $30.21 an hour ($62,830 a year) in May 2025, about the same as the national median of $30.18. The middle half earn $23.22–$36.42; the top 10% earn more than $38.05.

Where does Michigan rank for ironworker pay?

Michigan ranks 26th of 50 states for ironworker pay, with a median of $30.21 an hour, and 26th after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union ironworker rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for ironworkers in 79 counties, with a typical package of $68.17 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many ironworkers work in Michigan?

BLS counted 1,750 structural iron and steel workers in Michigan in May 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.90; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan 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.