Millwright in Iowa: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Iowa employs 690 millwrights, with a statewide median of $62,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $62,220 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,050
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,290
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,710
Employed in Iowa: 690
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for millwrights in major Iowa markets:

Des Moines: $63,950 (100 employed)
Omaha: $62,960 (230 employed)
Davenport: $61,260 (80 employed)
Cedar Rapids: $60,900 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Iowa

Prices in Iowa run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,220 median stretches to roughly $70,866 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow millwrights employment +3.3%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path.

Iowa does not license millwrights.
Apply to a UBC Millwrights regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Iowa

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Iowa's ag-equipment, food-processing, and ethanol plants hire; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Iowa include:

Indian Hills Community College — Certificate / Associate
Iowa Central Community College — Certificate
Iowa Lakes Community College — Certificate / Associate
Kirkwood Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in Iowa?

The median wage for millwrights in Iowa is $62,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,050, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in Iowa?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path. Iowa does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Iowa?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Which Iowa metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Des Moines leads at $63,950, followed by Omaha ($62,960), Davenport ($61,260). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in Iowa?

Real Iowa options include Indian Hills Community College, Iowa Central Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Iowa?

Iowa projects millwrights employment to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Iowa statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Iowa wages · Iowa licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.