How to Become a Pipefitter in Iowa (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Iowa employs about 5,730 pipefitters earning a median $63,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in Iowa

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 page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
169.7$7,650 - $20,272$53,28956%Yes*195 mi
265.2Contact school for pricing$50,75760%Yes*139 mi
361.2Contact school for pricing$57,49348%Yes*187 mi
458.9$5,940 - $16,032$59,90643%Yes*186 mi
557.6Contact school for pricing$47,71344%Yes*157 mi
656.6$6,780 - $17,838$50,00250%Yes*88 mi
756.3Contact school for pricing$48,663Not reportedYes*90 mi
856.2Contact school for pricing$53,11436%Yes*141 mi
951.7Contact school for pricing$55,035Not reportedYes*194 mi
1048.3Contact school for pricing$51,139Not reportedYes*152 mi

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 5,730 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,890 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter 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): $63,890 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Iowa

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

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter 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 pipefitters earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Iowa is $63,890 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,510 and experienced professionals can earn $97,500 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter 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 as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Iowa.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Iowa, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

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

Pipefitter 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]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Omaha2,430$63,400$71,120$46,710$98,540
Des Moines-West Des Moines2,150$75,040$73,230$47,720$99,570
Cedar Rapids780$83,210$73,740$47,830$94,590
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island680$76,310$74,510$46,560$100,930
Sioux City240$60,890$66,450$45,580$97,410
Waterloo-Cedar Falls220$62,200$64,930$45,960$92,590
Iowa City190$61,350$66,110$45,180$97,930
Ames160$63,820$66,390$41,670$97,500
Dubuque120$61,380$67,690$39,520$101,900

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 pipefitters in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 5,730 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 pipefitters earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Iowa is $63,890, which is $920 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Iowa

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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)