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

Skilled trades

Iowa employs 9,270 welders, with a statewide median of $55,090 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $55,090 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,590
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,200
Top earners (90th percentile): $65,250
Employed in Iowa: 9,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Des Moines: $59,980 (1,170 employed)
Iowa City: $57,780 (130 employed)
Cedar Rapids: $56,750 (560 employed)
Omaha: $53,110 (1,060 employed)
Waterloo: $51,080 (540 employed)
Davenport: $48,630 (1,240 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 $55,090 median stretches to roughly $62,745 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow welders employment +7.7%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 980 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

Iowa does not license welders.
Train at a community-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in Iowa

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Iowa's ag-equipment and manufacturing sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Iowa include:

Des Moines Area Community College — Certificate / Associate
Eastern Iowa Community College District — Certificate / Associate
Hawkeye Community College — Certificate / Associate
Indian Hills Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Iowa?

The median wage for welders in Iowa is $55,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,590, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $65,250. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. Iowa does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in Iowa?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Iowa metros pay welders the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Des Moines leads at $59,980, followed by Iowa City ($57,780), Cedar Rapids ($56,750). 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 Welder in Iowa?

Real Iowa options include Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College District, Hawkeye Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Iowa?

Iowa projects welders employment to change +7.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 980 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (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.