Prevailing Wage for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Prevailing wage for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers (SOC 47-2171) is set by DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Whether your offer is for a Field Ironworker, Iron Installer, or Ironworker position, DOL assigns one of four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on where the worksite is located.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience positioning and securing rebar or steel mesh in concrete forms. Typically under two years on the job, working under close supervision, performing routine tasks with standard fasteners and hand tools.
Workers with a working knowledge of rebar placement, rod-bending machines, and form-reading. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers, reflecting qualified tradespeople who work with moderate supervision.
Experienced ironworkers who handle complex reinforcement configurations, read structural drawings independently, and may oversee portions of a pour. Typically five or more years in the trade with demonstrated proficiency across multiple methods.
Fully competent rod busters and senior ironworkers who lead crews, interpret engineering specs, and troubleshoot structural issues on-site. Employers filing at Level 4 should document lead responsibilities and independent judgment in the LCA.
Prevailing Wage for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite city before the LCA is filed
Rebar work is inherently site-specific. The LCA must list the actual construction worksite, not the employer's home office. A project in Portland can carry a prevailing wage floor significantly higher than the same title filed in a lower-wage metro, so confirm the worksite address early.
Watch for union-rate gaps on commercial projects
On federally funded or large commercial construction projects, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates can exceed the DOL OES-based floor used for H-1B LCAs. An offer that clears the OFLC wage floor may still fall short of the contractually required union or Davis-Bacon rate for that specific job site.
Check historical sponsorship counts before applying
Few employers sponsor ironworkers for H-1B or green card, and the pool is concentrated among large commercial contractors and infrastructure firms. Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers roles before, so you can focus your search on companies with a real track record.
Confirm your title maps to SOC 47-2171
Titles like Iron Worker or Rodbuster are sometimes filed under structural or miscellaneous construction SOC codes that carry different wage floors. Before signing an offer, ask your employer to confirm the SOC code on the LCA matches 47-2171 so you're protected by the correct prevailing wage.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2171.00 alongside Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Field Ironworker Prevailing Wage
Field Ironworker Prevailing Wage
Field Ironworker positions fall under SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Iron Installer Prevailing Wage
Iron Installer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Iron Installer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Iron Worker Prevailing Wage
Iron Worker Prevailing Wage
Iron Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Ironworker Prevailing Wage
Ironworker Prevailing Wage
Ironworker positions fall under SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Reinforced Ironworker Prevailing Wage
Reinforced Ironworker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Reinforced Ironworker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Rodbuster Prevailing Wage
Rodbuster Prevailing Wage
Rodbuster is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Rodman Prevailing Wage
Rodman Prevailing Wage
Rodman positions fall under SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Steel Tier Prevailing Wage
Steel Tier Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Steel Tier for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2171.00 (Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for SOC 47-2171 using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Employers filing an H-1B or PERM application must request a prevailing wage determination from OFLC, which assigns a wage based on the worksite's geographic area and the position's experience level. The resulting figure is the minimum the employer must pay.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines Level 1 as entry-level with minimal experience, Level 2 as qualified with working knowledge of the trade, Level 3 as experienced with independent judgment, and Level 4 as fully competent in a lead or senior capacity. Your level is determined by the job duties on the LCA, not your years of experience alone. Review the employer's job description carefully; if the posted duties match senior or lead responsibilities, the Level 4 floor should apply.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same ironworker role vary so much between cities?
DOL derives wages from regional OES surveys, which reflect actual pay in each labor market. Dense union markets with strong construction activity, like Seattle or Chicago, produce higher survey wages than less-unionized or lower-cost metros. The LCA worksite rule means the floor is tied to where the rebar work physically happens, not where the employer is headquartered. Moving a project from one metro to another can change the required minimum substantially.
What happens if my sponsored offer is below the prevailing wage floor?
An employer cannot lawfully certify an LCA or file an H-1B petition with USCIS if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite. If OFLC or USCIS identifies a shortfall, the application can be denied or the employer may face back-wage liability. For green card PERM applications, a below-floor wage is grounds for denial. You should confirm the offered salary meets or exceeds the Level wage before the employer files.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific location for this role?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 47-2171 for the specific metropolitan area where the work will be performed. Select the correct wage year that matches your employer's intended filing period, since OFLC updates its wage tables annually. For sponsored job leads, Migrate Mate lists employers with a documented history of sponsoring construction and ironworker roles, letting you compare opportunities across markets before you negotiate.
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