How much does a reinforcing iron and rebar worker make?
The median reinforcing iron and rebar worker in the United States earns $59,280 per year, about $28.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all reinforcing iron and rebar workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2171.
Reinforcing iron and rebar worker salary range
Pay for reinforcing iron and rebar workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,470 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $95,530. The average (mean) wage of $62,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,470 | $18.97 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,300 | $22.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,280 | $28.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $74,190 | $35.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $95,530 | $45.93 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for reinforcing iron and rebar workers (SOC 47-2171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Reinforcing iron and rebar worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers earn the most in Washington at $106,340 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $36,940. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $106,340 | 320 |
| Illinois | $102,260 | 100 |
| Nevada | $100,100 | 470 |
| Oregon | $91,150 | 370 |
| Minnesota | $91,090 | 70 |
| New York | $81,630 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $81,020 | 120 |
| Missouri | $80,330 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $79,230 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $77,770 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $76,920 | N/A |
| Ohio | $73,560 | 330 |
| Nebraska | $71,340 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $68,220 | 470 |
| Arizona | $67,010 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $65,210 | 130 |
| Indiana | $62,980 | 160 |
| California | $61,440 | 1,660 |
| Colorado | $61,220 | 400 |
| Maryland | $60,550 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $59,830 | 190 |
| Georgia | $59,390 | 170 |
| Virginia | $58,750 | 420 |
| Alabama | $56,540 | 240 |
| Kansas | $54,750 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $51,510 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $50,910 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $50,750 | N/A |
| Utah | $49,990 | 280 |
| Texas | $49,150 | 3,530 |
| South Carolina | $47,050 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $46,000 | 40 |
| Florida | $44,780 | 620 |
| Mississippi | $36,940 | 60 |
State median wages for reinforcing iron and rebar workers (SOC 47-2171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for reinforcing iron and rebar workers
The BLS projects employment of reinforcing iron and rebar workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for reinforcing iron and rebar workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a reinforcing iron and rebar worker
The typical entry-level education for reinforcing iron and rebar workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a reinforcing iron and rebar worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $106,340) and the lowest (Mississippi, $36,940) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,140 people work as reinforcing iron and rebar workers in the United States. At $59,280 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Reinforcing iron and rebar worker salary FAQ
How much does a reinforcing iron and rebar worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a reinforcing iron and rebar worker is $28.50. The middle half of reinforcing iron and rebar workers earn between $22.74 and $35.67 per hour.
What is the highest reinforcing iron and rebar worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of reinforcing iron and rebar workers earn more than $95,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a reinforcing iron and rebar worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a reinforcing iron and rebar worker is $59,280. The average (mean) wage of $62,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a reinforcing iron and rebar worker a well paid job?
At $59,280 a year, a reinforcing iron and rebar worker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,140 people work as reinforcing iron and rebar workers in the United States.
Which state pays reinforcing iron and rebar workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for reinforcing iron and rebar workers at $106,340 a year. Illinois ($102,260) and Nevada ($100,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a reinforcing iron and rebar worker a good career?
Employment of reinforcing iron and rebar workers is projected to shrink 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a reinforcing iron and rebar worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for reinforcing iron and rebar workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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