Hourly pay in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, union-negotiated rates on government-funded building jobs, and rates ironworkers add themselves.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
| Where | Newer (10th) | Median | Top (90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $21.69 | $27.90 | $37.59 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $21.93 | $25.77 | $37.27 |
| San Antonio | $19.51 | $24.10 | $34.27 |
| Austin | $22.41 | $28.84 | $37.29 |
| All of Texas | $20.27 | $25.12 | $37.27 |
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
| Where | Newer (10th) | Median | Top (90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $21.46 | $24.93 | $30.78 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $20.74 | $24.48 | $29.29 |
| Austin | $18.71 | $24.17 | $30.28 |
| All of Texas | $19.21 | $24.35 | $29.74 |
An hour, for all workers in the occupation. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.” BLS ↗
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. bls.gov/oes ↗
In a 2026 survey of 1,500 U.S. trade workers, those with a card or license reported more income a year than those with none.
Help other ironworkers know what's fair. Your name is never shown: rates appear only as a median of 5 or more, from people with a verified phone.
Sign up to add your rate →Already have an account? Sign in
On building projects paid for with federal money, contractors must pay at least the rate the U.S. Department of Labor sets for each county. A rate with a union local means, in the Labor Department's words, “a union rate was prevailing for that classification in the survey”: that local's contract rate.
Harris County (Houston)
A legal minimum from the government's survey, which “may include both union and non-union rates”. Survey rates can be years old, so compare them with the pay by metro above.
Building construction, wage determination TX20260253, modification 1 (May 18, 2026). SAM.gov ↗
Dallas County (Dallas–Fort Worth)
A legal minimum from the government's survey, which “may include both union and non-union rates”. Survey rates can be years old, so compare them with the pay by metro above.
Post your job free, with its pay, where Texas ironworkers are looking.
Post a job free →By how they learned the trade: a median of $91,000 for those who went through an apprenticeship and $65,000 for self-taught workers. Only 14% had completed an apprenticeship.
Yearly income, all trades across the U.S. (not only Texas or ironworkers). It shows who earns more, not that a card alone raises pay.
ZipRecruiter Trade Worker Survey, 2026 (1,500 U.S. trade workers, May 25 to June 11, 2026), published July 8, 2026. ZipRecruiter ↗
Building construction, wage determination TX20260241, modification 1 (May 18, 2026). SAM.gov ↗
Tarrant County (Dallas–Fort Worth)
A legal minimum from the government's survey, which “may include both union and non-union rates”. Survey rates can be years old, so compare them with the pay by metro above.
Building construction, wage determination TX20260270, modification 1 (May 18, 2026). SAM.gov ↗
Bexar County (San Antonio)
A legal minimum from the government's survey, which “may include both union and non-union rates”. Survey rates can be years old, so compare them with the pay by metro above.
Building construction, wage determination TX20260231, modification 1 (May 18, 2026). SAM.gov ↗
Travis County (Austin)
A legal minimum from the government's survey, which “may include both union and non-union rates”. Survey rates can be years old, so compare them with the pay by metro above.
Building construction, wage determination TX20260271, modification 1 (May 18, 2026). SAM.gov ↗
Questions? Just text us
Text your trade and city to 424-5TR-ADES (424-587-2337). English or Spanish.
Text 424-587-2337 to ask the SkillsTradeJobs assistant about trade jobs, training, pay and licenses. Replies come from an AI assistant, only when you text us. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. SMS terms.