Apprentices usually start at about 50 to 60 percent of the rate paid to experienced journey workers. They receive pay increases throughout the course of the program.
Earnings can sometimes be reduced because of work time lost due to bad weather. Structural metal workers can also lose work during economic slowdowns, when jobs are not available.
Wages vary by area of specialization. Wages also vary by employer and area of the country. Workers in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other large cities receive higher wages. Wages also vary depending on the worker's experience. In addition, workers who are members of a union usually earn higher wages than non-union workers.
Benefits vary by employer. Full-time structural metal workers often receive typical benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $43.07 | $61.49 | $66.81 |
| Yearly | $89,574 | $127,910 | $138,969 | |
| United States | Hourly | $22.34 | $26.37 | $31.49 |
| Yearly | $46,460 | $54,850 | $65,490 | |
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $38.71 | $47.92 | $56.66 |
| Yearly | $80,512 | $99,663 | $117,850 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $30.75 | $37.52 | $52.47 |
| Yearly | $63,967 | $78,052 | $109,123 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $44.13 | $51.05 | $59.18 |
| Yearly | $91,789 | $106,170 | $123,083 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $45.26 | $50.18 | $57.16 |
| Yearly | $94,141 | $104,387 | $118,887 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $40.99 | $48.17 | $53.82 |
| Yearly | $85,252 | $100,198 | $111,946 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $38.53 | $41.40 | $51.75 |
| Yearly | $80,146 | $86,122 | $107,635 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $29.31 | $41.55 | $50.58 |
| Yearly | $60,967 | $86,433 | $105,203 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $20.55 | $37.20 | $38.03 |
| Yearly | $42,749 | $77,363 | $79,106 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $36.63 | $37.88 | $40.48 |
| Yearly | $76,190 | $78,777 | $84,201 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $45.05 | $56.66 | $57.04 |
| Yearly | $93,695 | $117,854 | $118,628 | |
| United States | Hourly | $23.49 | $30.17 | $38.48 |
| Yearly | $48,860 | $62,760 | $80,040 | |
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $18.39 | $22.16 | $26.28 |
| Yearly | $38,250 | $46,094 | $54,673 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $17.10 | $20.93 | $24.28 |
| Yearly | $35,568 | $43,523 | $50,495 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $18.59 | $22.46 | $27.05 |
| Yearly | $38,660 | $46,726 | $56,263 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $18.43 | $22.04 | $25.36 |
| Yearly | $38,335 | $45,840 | $52,750 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $18.88 | $21.80 | $24.08 |
| Yearly | $39,271 | $45,354 | $50,090 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $18.04 | $22.06 | $23.91 |
| Yearly | $37,525 | $45,869 | $49,736 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $18.13 | $19.21 | $24.05 |
| Yearly | $37,715 | $39,941 | $50,024 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $18.68 | $23.47 | $32.79 |
| Yearly | $38,859 | $48,814 | $68,192 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $18.93 | $23.33 | $30.81 |
| Yearly | $39,374 | $48,529 | $64,079 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $17.66 | $23.81 | $24.58 |
| Yearly | $36,734 | $49,515 | $51,135 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $21.20 | $23.65 | $39.84 |
| Yearly | $44,110 | $49,199 | $82,858 | |
| United States | Hourly | $19.80 | $23.31 | $27.65 |
| Yearly | $41,180 | $48,480 | $57,520 | |