ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Ironworker Salary
in Birmingham, AL

Erect structural steel frameworks for buildings, bridges, and other structures. Median salary in Birmingham: $61K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$61K
per year
Take-home: $40K

Salary range in Birmingham

Entry level (25th)$47,000
Median (50th)$61,000
Senior (75th)$79,000
Top earner (90th)$104,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Birmingham, Alabama. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Birmingham

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

10% discount vs national median

Ironworkers in Birmingham earn approximately 10% lower than the US national median for this role — a $7,000 discount on annual base salary. Birmingham's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 82 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Birmingham's cost-of-living index (82), the median Ironworker salary buys the equivalent of $74,390 in a US-average-cost city. That's $6,390 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Rent eats 32% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham ($1,050/mo) consumes approximately 32% of an after-tax median Ironworker salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($79K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Birmingham

Median salary
$61K
annual
Take-home pay
$40K
after fed/state tax
COL index
82
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,050
per month
YoY growth
+5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Birmingham Ironworker to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $61K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Birmingham

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Ironworker salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$51K$56K$60K$65K$69K201920212023202520272029
2026
$63K
projected
2027
$64K
projected
2028
$66K
projected
2029
$67K
projected
2030
$69K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$61,000+$0
2028 projected$61,000+$0
2029 projected$61,000+$0
2030 projected$61,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Ironworker Salary in Birmingham, Alabama: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Ironworker salary in Birmingham, AL is $61,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Birmingham–AL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Ironworker in Birmingham

Entry-level Ironworkers in Birmingham with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $47,000 and $61,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $61,000 to $79,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $79,000 to $104,000 or more.

Cost of living in Birmingham for Ironworkers

Birmingham has a cost of living index of 82 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 18% further in Birmingham than the national average. Alabama has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Ironworker

Apprenticeship program; journeyman certification. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Ironworker salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Birmingham (current)$61K82
Montgomery$54K80
Huntsville$68K88
Mobile$56K82