Ironworker.
Richmond.
$62,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$47,000 to $80,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Ironworker pay in Richmond ranges from $47,000 to $80,000 in 2026. The median is $62,000, 2% below the national average. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $56,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$40,000
to $50,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$53,000
to $65,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$68,000
to $81,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$78,000
to $96,000
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
$62,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $75,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$62,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$63,000
Richmond is $1,000 below
Ironworker salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Ironworker roles in Richmond, here is what you are walking into. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. 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 Richmond, 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: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $62,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for Ironworkers in Richmond runs from $47,000 to $80,000. 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 Plumber in Richmond earns $63,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
Ironworker salary in other cities
Other salaries in Richmond
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