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Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings. Excludes "Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers" (47-2171).
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74,420 | 2.7 % | $27.37 | $56,940 | 1.1 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $15.03 | $18.51 | $25.30 | $34.81 | $44.38 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $31,260 | $38,500 | $52,610 | $72,410 | $92,310 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 34,900 | 3.97 | $28.35 | $58,980 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 15,960 | 2.04 | $26.12 | $54,330 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 4,120 | 0.20 | $27.63 | $57,470 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3,130 | 0.68 | $26.78 | $55,700 |
| Utility System Construction | 2,780 | 0.55 | $26.45 | $55,010 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 34,900 | 3.97 | $28.35 | $58,980 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 15,960 | 2.04 | $26.12 | $54,330 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3,130 | 0.68 | $26.78 | $55,700 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 2,230 | 0.66 | $28.11 | $58,470 |
| Utility System Construction | 2,780 | 0.55 | $26.45 | $55,010 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 430 | 0.01 | $37.67 | $78,360 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 40 | 0.01 | $32.12 | $66,800 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 1,530 | 0.19 | $29.54 | $61,440 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 540 | 0.48 | $29.06 | $60,440 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 34,900 | 3.97 | $28.35 | $58,980 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8,710 | 0.52 | 1.00 | $30.49 | $63,410 |
| Texas | 8,680 | 0.73 | 1.40 | $21.03 | $43,740 |
| New York | 6,240 | 0.68 | 1.30 | $42.25 | $87,870 |
| Florida | 3,850 | 0.46 | 0.88 | $20.54 | $42,720 |
| Ohio | 3,720 | 0.69 | 1.33 | $28.22 | $58,690 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 870 | 2.08 | 3.98 | $19.10 | $39,720 |
| Louisiana | 2,760 | 1.45 | 2.78 | $24.92 | $51,830 |
| Utah | 1,580 | 1.12 | 2.15 | $21.61 | $44,960 |
| Nebraska | 920 | 0.95 | 1.82 | $21.04 | $43,760 |
| Texas | 8,680 | 0.73 | 1.40 | $21.03 | $43,740 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 6,240 | 0.68 | 1.30 | $42.25 | $87,870 |
| Illinois | 2,730 | 0.46 | 0.88 | $41.70 | $86,740 |
| New Jersey | 1,300 | 0.32 | 0.62 | $38.77 | $80,650 |
| Hawaii | 190 | 0.30 | 0.57 | $36.26 | $75,430 |
| Washington | 1,440 | 0.45 | 0.87 | $34.71 | $72,200 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 4,510 | 0.67 | 1.29 | $42.34 | $88,060 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 3,060 | 1.05 | 2.00 | $21.17 | $44,040 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division | 1,790 | 0.49 | 0.94 | $43.14 | $89,730 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 1,510 | 0.77 | 1.47 | $22.99 | $47,820 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,350 | 3.44 | 6.60 | $26.56 | $55,250 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,340 | 0.30 | 0.58 | $30.84 | $64,150 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 1,220 | 0.85 | 1.63 | $33.26 | $69,190 |
| Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metropolitan Division | 1,210 | 0.93 | 1.78 | $48.07 | $99,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,130 | 0.79 | 1.51 | $33.40 | $69,470 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,110 | 0.42 | 0.81 | $19.06 | $39,650 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,350 | 3.44 | 6.60 | $26.56 | $55,250 |
| Odessa, TX | 220 | 3.28 | 6.28 | $27.40 | $56,980 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 380 | 2.28 | 4.37 | $26.46 | $55,040 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 300 | 2.24 | 4.28 | $29.74 | $61,860 |
| Rapid City, SD | 140 | 2.20 | 4.21 | $20.25 | $42,110 |
| Gary, IN Metropolitan Division | 510 | 1.92 | 3.67 | $33.50 | $69,670 |
| Appleton, WI | 240 | 1.90 | 3.65 | $29.12 | $60,570 |
| Grand Island, NE | 60 | 1.64 | 3.14 | $18.06 | $37,560 |
| Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, MA NECTA Division | 90 | 1.53 | 2.92 | $37.11 | $77,180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 360 | 1.53 | 2.94 | $29.97 | $62,330 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metropolitan Division | 1,210 | 0.93 | 1.78 | $48.07 | $99,990 |
| Kankakee, IL | 30 | 0.72 | 1.38 | $43.92 | $91,350 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division | 1,790 | 0.49 | 0.94 | $43.14 | $89,730 |
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 4,510 | 0.67 | 1.29 | $42.34 | $88,060 |
| Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division | 380 | 0.72 | 1.38 | $42.09 | $87,540 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division | 160 | 0.39 | 0.74 | $41.19 | $85,670 |
| Rockford, IL | 120 | 0.83 | 1.59 | $39.67 | $82,520 |
| Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division | 560 | 0.34 | 0.65 | $39.32 | $81,790 |
| Peoria, IL | 60 | 0.34 | 0.65 | $38.25 | $79,560 |
| Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division | (8) | (8) | (8) | $37.65 | $78,320 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 370 | 2.81 | 5.37 | $16.18 | $33,640 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.73 | 3.31 | $22.18 | $46,130 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 210 | 1.09 | 2.10 | $21.72 | $45,180 |
| North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 200 | 0.74 | 1.42 | $22.65 | $47,110 |
| Central Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 190 | 1.80 | 3.45 | $16.24 | $33,790 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Valley Region of California nonmetropolitan area | 100 | 3.05 | 5.84 | $21.48 | $44,690 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 370 | 2.81 | 5.37 | $16.18 | $33,640 |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 140 | 2.30 | 4.41 | $23.84 | $49,580 |
| Central Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 190 | 1.80 | 3.45 | $16.24 | $33,790 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.73 | 3.31 | $22.18 | $46,130 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 120 | 1.35 | 2.59 | $34.19 | $71,120 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | (8) | (8) | (8) | $31.17 | $64,840 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | (8) | (8) | (8) | $28.46 | $59,210 |
| Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | (8) | (8) | (8) | $27.71 | $57,630 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 100 | 0.59 | 1.13 | $27.69 | $57,590 |
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate--50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(8) Estimate not released.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OES estimates and related information:
May 2017 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Last Modified Date: March 30, 2018