Compare accredited Carpenter schools across Iowa below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Carpenter Schools in Iowa
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Iowa.
Schools closest to the main population center in Iowa are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Iowa is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Carpenter Schools in IowaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Carpenter Schools in Iowa (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Southwestern Community College
$51,650
Indian Hills Community College
$50,322
Northeast Iowa Community College
$50,002
Hawkeye Community College
$49,163
Southeastern Community College
$48,941
Kirkwood Community College
$48,663
Carpenter Pay and Job Outlook
What carpenters earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for carpentersTop-paying states for carpenters
Iowa Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$57,710
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
5,770 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.86
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
2.9%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$29.29/hr ($21.75 base + $7.54 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for Carpenter Training in Iowa
The cities below have the highest concentration of carpenter training programs and population centers within Iowa. Click through for school listings near each:
Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
Pass any required state or local exam.
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
Apprenticeship Programs in Iowa
In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years.
About Carpenter Careers in Iowa
Carpenters construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
In Iowa, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $57,710, about 5,770 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.86 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Career outlook varies by region and specialization. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for national projections and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the latest state and metropolitan area data.
Carpenter Wages and Workforce in Iowa
In Iowa, Carpenter programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $57,710 per year, and most earn between $39,040 and $76,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Iowa employs roughly 5,770 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.86 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving Iowa include Iowa Lakes Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College, and Southwestern Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Carpenter Training and Licensing in Iowa
Licensing for Carpenter varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Iowa licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does carpenter training in Iowa involve?
Carpenter training in Iowa is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do carpenters earn in Iowa?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), carpenters in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $57,710. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $39,040 to $76,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the Iowa license or certification process for carpenters?
Licensing for carpenter work is handled at the state level in Iowa. Consult Iowa's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
