How to Become A Maintenance Technician in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 16,500 maintenance technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,160 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 159,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a maintenance technician in Iowa, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Maintenance Technician in Iowa
How do I become a maintenance technician in Iowa? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for maintenance technicians in Iowa.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do maintenance technicians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in Iowa is $52,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,570 and experienced professionals can earn $74,490 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Iowa): $52,160 per year 1
Maintenance Technician 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]
Maintenance Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), maintenance and repair workers, general wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 4,360 | $51,700 | $54,080 | $37,690 | $71,800 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 3,780 | $50,780 | $54,500 | $37,620 | $74,970 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,940 | $51,200 | $54,330 | $35,130 | $77,330 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,260 | $51,880 | $56,240 | $36,610 | $85,480 |
| Sioux City | 980 | $57,470 | $55,900 | $39,110 | $66,840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 870 | $50,940 | $52,450 | $36,290 | $74,450 |
| Iowa City | 710 | $47,760 | $50,350 | $34,400 | $69,520 |
| Ames | 670 | $54,770 | $55,020 | $37,480 | $73,830 |
| Dubuque | 570 | $54,360 | $54,450 | $37,470 | $73,890 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Maintenance technicians in Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest maintenance technician employment within Iowa according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 3,780 | $50,780 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,940 | $51,200 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,260 | $51,880 |
| Sioux City | 980 | $57,470 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 870 | $50,940 |
Explore maintenance technician programs in Des Moines, Davenport, and Cedar Rapids.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for maintenance technicians in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 16,500 maintenance technicians 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% 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 accredited programs in Iowa. You can also contact the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do maintenance technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in Iowa is $52,160, which is $3,540 above the national median of $48,620 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |