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

Skilled trades

Iowa employs 5,730 plumbers, with a statewide median of $63,890 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $63,890 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,510
Experienced (75th percentile): $85,320
Top earners (90th percentile): $97,500
Employed in Iowa: 5,730
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Cedar Rapids: $83,210 (780 employed)
Davenport: $76,310 (680 employed)
Des Moines: $75,040 (2,150 employed)
Omaha: $63,400 (2,430 employed)
Waterloo: $62,200 (220 employed)
Iowa City: $61,350 (190 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 $63,890 median stretches to roughly $72,768 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow plumbers employment +6.8%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 600 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL).

Be licensed as an apprentice and complete the required apprenticeship under a master/journeyman.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board; add a master license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) →

Training in Iowa

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Iowa licenses plumbers at the state level.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Iowa include:

Iowa Western Community College — Certificate
Kirkwood Community College — Certificate
Northeast Iowa Community College — Certificate / Associate
Western Iowa Tech Community College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Iowa?

The median wage for plumbers in Iowa is $63,890 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,510, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,500. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL). Be licensed as an apprentice and complete the required apprenticeship under a master/journeyman.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Iowa?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Iowa metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Cedar Rapids leads at $83,210, followed by Davenport ($76,310), Des Moines ($75,040). 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 Plumber in Iowa?

Real Iowa options include Iowa Western Community College, Kirkwood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Iowa?

Iowa projects plumbers employment to change +6.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 600 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) (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.