Ironworker.
Ann Arbor.
$63,000
median salary, at the national average
$48,000 to $82,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Ironworkers actually make in Ann Arbor: $48,000 at the 25th percentile, $63,000 at the median, and $82,000 at the 75th. That is right at the national average. Ann Arbor is a top-tier research hub anchored by the University of Michigan. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $57,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$41,000
to $50,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$54,000
to $66,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$69,000
to $82,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$79,000
to $98,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$63,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $76,000
How Ann Arbor compares
Ann Arbor, MI
$63,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$63,000
Same as local rate
Ironworker salary by city
Salary by role in Ann Arbor
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Ironworker roles in Ann Arbor, here is what you are walking into. Ann Arbor is a top-tier research hub anchored by the University of Michigan. The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, strong automotive R&D presence, and growing AI and robotics sector. Toyota, Google, and numerous autonomous vehicle companies have offices here. Structural ironworkers on high-rise projects earn the most due to height premiums and physical risk factors. Welding certifications combined with ironworking skills add 15 to 20% to base rates. Union ironworkers in major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco see the strongest wage floors, with journeyman rates exceeding $45 per hour.
Ironworker apprentices start at $34,000 to $42,000 during their three to four year training period. Journeyman ironworkers earn $48,000 to $70,000, while foremen and superintendents reach $72,000 to $95,000. Project managers with ironworking backgrounds earn $90,000 to $125,000 at large structural contractors. In Ann Arbor, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Union benefits add $18,000 to $28,000 annually including health insurance, pension, annuity, and training fund contributions. Hazard pay for bridge, high-rise, or demolition work can add $2 to $8 per hour on top of base journeyman rates. And on the tax side: michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax. Ann Arbor has a city income tax of 1% for residents. The moderate combined rate is offset by the strong employer base and research ecosystem. When someone quotes you $63,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage the autonomous vehicle and robotics corridor. Ann Arbor employers pay nationally competitive rates for AI, robotics, and automotive engineering talent. The range for Ironworkers in Ann Arbor runs from $48,000 to $82,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Industrial Maintenance Tech in Ann Arbor earns $64,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Ann Arbor is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $368,000
Common questions.
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