Ironworker vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Ironworker
Structural · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,718
Salary Range$51,635 – $76,788
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (61/100)
Total Employment146,883
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Ironworker | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $76,788 | $138,742 | -$61,954 |
| San Francisco, CA | $76,392 | $133,724 | -$57,332 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,852 | $134,046 | -$60,194 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,744 | $141,603 | -$67,859 |
| Boston, MA | $70,882 | $129,499 | -$58,617 |
| Portland, OR | $67,774 | $129,318 | -$61,544 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $67,403 | $124,384 | -$56,981 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,649 | $124,593 | -$57,944 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $66,286 | $119,631 | -$53,345 |
| Detroit, MI | $64,916 | $103,783 | -$38,867 |
| Houston, TX | $63,096 | $110,350 | -$47,254 |
| Chicago, IL | $61,751 | $121,490 | -$59,739 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,615 | $110,487 | -$48,872 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $60,483 | $105,962 | -$45,479 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $60,368 | $103,583 | -$43,215 |
| Denver, CO | $60,154 | $121,535 | -$61,381 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,476 | $102,530 | -$43,054 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,362 | $111,663 | -$52,301 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,148 | $100,828 | -$41,680 |
| Atlanta, GA | $57,995 | $105,135 | -$47,140 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $57,473 | $109,848 | -$52,375 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $56,542 | $103,128 | -$46,586 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $55,837 | $91,823 | -$35,986 |
| Kansas City, MO | $55,496 | $110,643 | -$55,147 |
| San Antonio, TX | $54,389 | $90,238 | -$35,849 |
| Tampa, FL | $53,383 | $98,578 | -$45,195 |
| Nashville, TN | $53,348 | $107,407 | -$54,059 |
| Miami, FL | $53,124 | $94,454 | -$41,330 |
| Raleigh, NC | $52,177 | $102,831 | -$50,654 |
| New Orleans, LA | $51,635 | $93,203 | -$41,568 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Ironworkers or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $61,718 — a difference of $50,783 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Ironworker or Construction Manager?
Construction Manager has stronger 5-year wage growth at 12% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Ironworker requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
Ironworker salary by city →
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