How to Become A Plumber in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 5,730 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,890 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, plumber 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 plumber in Iowa, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Iowa
How do I become a plumber in Iowa? Iowa requires credentials such as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. The licensing authority is the There is some indication that this license exists in Iowa, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for plumbers 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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: There is some indication that this license exists in Iowa, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts
- Median wage (Iowa): $63,890 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Iowa
The There is some indication that this license exists in Iowa, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts oversees plumber licensing in Iowa.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Plumber 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 4.
Contact Information:
- Office: Iowa Workforce Development
- Address: 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
- Phone: (515) 725-3675
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 2,430 | $63,400 | $71,120 | $46,710 | $98,540 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 2,150 | $75,040 | $73,230 | $47,720 | $99,570 |
| Cedar Rapids | 780 | $83,210 | $73,740 | $47,830 | $94,590 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 680 | $76,310 | $74,510 | $46,560 | $100,930 |
| Sioux City | 240 | $60,890 | $66,450 | $45,580 | $97,410 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 220 | $62,200 | $64,930 | $45,960 | $92,590 |
| Iowa City | 190 | $61,350 | $66,110 | $45,180 | $97,930 |
| Ames | 160 | $63,820 | $66,390 | $41,670 | $97,500 |
| Dubuque | 120 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber 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 | 2,150 | $75,040 |
| Cedar Rapids | 780 | $83,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 680 | $76,310 |
| Sioux City | 240 | $60,890 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 220 | $62,200 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Iowa
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Iowa earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Iowa general wage determinations show approximately $23.94 per hour in base pay plus $10.84 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $34.78 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
Explore More Trades in Iowa
- Electrician in Iowa
- HVAC Technician in Iowa
- Welder in Iowa
- Carpenter in Iowa
- Solar Installation Technician in Iowa
- Auto Mechanic in Iowa
- CNC Machinist in Iowa
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa
- Medical Assistant in Iowa
- Massage Therapist in Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 5,730 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the There is some indication that this license exists in Iowa, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Iowa is $63,890, which is $920 above the national median of $62,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/registered-apprenticeship ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |