Ironworker.
Boulder.
$70,000
median salary, 11% above the national average
$53,000 to $91,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Ironworker in Boulder earns a median of $70,000 in 2026. That is 11% above the national average. The range runs from $53,000 to $91,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Structural ironworkers on high-rise projects earn the most due to height premiums and physical risk factors.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $63,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$46,000
to $56,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$60,000
to $74,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$77,000
to $91,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$88,000
to $109,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$70,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $84,000
How Boulder compares
Boulder, CO
$70,000
Cost of living: 15% above average
National Average
$63,000
Boulder is $7,000 above
Ironworker salary by city
Salary by role in Boulder
What you should know
Here is what the Ironworker market actually looks like in Boulder. Boulder is one of America's most concentrated startup hubs per capita, with a strong presence in aerospace, natural products, and technology. The University of Colorado and national labs like NIST and NOAA drive research employment. Outdoor lifestyle attracts top talent willing to accept slightly lower salaries. 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 Boulder, 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: colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax. Boulder has no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with high quality of life makes it competitive despite higher housing costs. When someone quotes you $70,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the startup density. Boulder employers compete fiercely for talent and often offer equity packages that rival larger metros. Negotiate total compensation, not just base. The range for Ironworkers in Boulder runs from $53,000 to $91,000. 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 Sales Development Representative in Boulder earns $69,000 (1% less)
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Common questions.
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