How to Become a CNC Machinist in Iowa (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Iowa employs about 2,880 cnc machinists earning a median $57,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.

Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Iowa

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
165.2$4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state$50,75766%Yes*139 mi
260.0$6,146$52,00339%Yes*128 mi
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359.9$5,496 in-state / $6,504 out-of-state$52,11042%Yes*34 mi
459.3$6,298$49,76852%Yes*88 mi
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557.1$6,653 in-state / $9,551 out-of-state$47,06861%Yes*52 mi
656.6$6,780 in-state / $7,770 out-of-state$50,00251%Yes*88 mi
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756.3$6,176 in-state / $8,220 out-of-state$48,66343%Yes*90 mi
856.1$5,040 in-state / $6,120 out-of-state$50,32240%Yes*105 mi
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954.6$6,525 in-state / $6,612 out-of-state$49,16343%Yes*48 mi
1054.0$5,496 in-state / $7,788 out-of-state$46,68242%Yes*48 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.

Iowa employs approximately 2,880 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,540 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a CNC Machinist in Iowa, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Iowa): $57,540 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Iowa

How to become a CNC Machinist in Iowa? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Iowa.

How long does it take? Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Iowa is $57,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,500 and experienced professionals can earn $71,160 or more 1.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Iowa

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Iowa that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in Iowa before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Iowa

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Iowa’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Iowa Workforce Development
  • Address: 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
  • Phone: (515) 725-3675
  • Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in Iowa vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island600$61,710$62,140$41,850$80,500
Omaha240$58,540$59,750$40,000$81,210
Des Moines-West Des Moines210$59,290$56,640$38,270$74,380
Cedar Rapids180$56,000$57,040$42,490$74,970
Dubuque180$58,890$57,270$47,820$66,380
Waterloo-Cedar Falls180$58,100$57,000$45,570$71,160
Sioux City80$56,350$53,180$37,840$63,140
Ames60$60,200$62,700$53,120$74,060

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 2,880 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Iowa. You can also contact the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Iowa is $57,540, which is $1,390 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

In Iowa

Top local programs

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Citations

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/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/registered-apprenticeship ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)