Washington median pay
$107,660 a year
National median
$62,780
Seattle–Tacoma median
$111,440
Union apprenticeship tuition
$0
Ironworkers erect structural steel, place rebar, and install metal decking, stairs and railings on buildings, bridges and industrial projects. In Washington, they’re among the best-paid construction workers: the median is $107,660, about $45,000 above the national median.
Looking for an apprenticeship? Search every registered apprenticeship program in Washington by trade, region and union or non-union, with starting and journey-level pay, in our free Washington Apprenticeship Finder.
Union or non-union?
From the dean’s desk
Whenever possible, go union, because it’s going to provide you with the best salary, benefits and retirement.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
Most ironworker apprenticeships in Washington are run by union locals with employers. The two main programs are:
- Ironworkers Local 86 (Seattle and Western Washington): offered with North Seattle College, with no tuition. Applicants must be 18, have a driver’s license and access to a vehicle, and pass a qualification day that includes lifting, carrying and working at heights. Apprentices earn college credit.
- Pacific Northwest Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 14 (Spokane and Eastern Washington): the registered apprenticeship for the east side of the state.
Union apprentices earn wages that rise as they progress, along with health benefits and a pension, which is why the gap between union and non-union pay can be large in this trade.
What ironworkers earn in Washington
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater | $111,500 | $53.61 |
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue | $111,440 | $53.58 |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro | $98,120 | $47.17 |
| Bellingham | $86,120 | $41.41 |
| Spokane–Spokane Valley | $82,660 | $39.74 |
| Washington overall | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| United States | $62,780 | $30.18 |
Washington has about 1,720 ironworkers and expects about 130 openings a year through 2034. It’s a small trade, so apprenticeship spots are competitive.
Steps to become an ironworker in Washington
1
Get your driver’s license and reliable transportation
Job sites move, and programs require it.
2
Build strength and comfort at heights
The qualification day tests lifting, carrying and heights.
3
Apply to Local 86 or Local 14
Choose the program for your side of the state.
4
Complete your apprenticeship
Work on job sites while attending classes.
5
Reach journey level
Keep adding certifications like welding and rigging.
Frequently asked questions
Should I join the union as an ironworker in Washington?
Whenever possible. Union ironworkers get the best pay, benefits and retirement.
How much do ironworkers make in Washington?
The median was $107,660 a year in May 2025, and about $111,000 in the Seattle–Tacoma and Olympia areas.
What do I need to apply?
For Local 86: be 18, have a driver’s license and access to a vehicle, and pass a qualification day that tests lifting, carrying and working at heights.
Sources
- Career Bridge: Ironworkers Local 86 apprenticeship
- Career Bridge: Pacific Northwest Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship and Training Committee
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Ironworkers
- O*NET OnLine: Ironworker wages and outlook in Washington (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Related: Ironworker in California · Washington Construction Unions · All Washington guides
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