"How long does recovery coach in Iowa training take?"

"Most paths into the recovery coach field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"How much do recovery coaches earn in Iowa?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), recovery coaches in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,780 (using the related \"Community Health Workers\" BLS category, since recovery coach wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.63 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

"Do recovery coaches need a license in Iowa?"

"No statewide license is required for recovery coaches in Iowa. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate)."

"What apprenticeships are available for recovery coaches in Iowa?"

"In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

"What is the job outlook for recovery coaches in Iowa?"

"Iowa currently employs approximately 390 workers in the related \"Community Health Workers\" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.3% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

How to Become A Recovery Coach in Iowa

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Iowa community health workers earn a median annual wage of $47,780 ($22.97/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 390 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.8% below the national median of $51,850 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,780 ($22.97/hr)
25th percentile: $40,210 per year
75th percentile: $58,700 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $71,360 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,690 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 390
Versus national median: -7.8% below the U.S. median of $51,850
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.63 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa employs approximately 390 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category (SOC 21-1094), with a median annual wage of $47,780 ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a recovery coach in Iowa, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track recovery coach salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094). Actual recovery coach earnings may vary.

Quick Answers About How to Become a Recovery Coach in Iowa

How to become a recovery coach in Iowa? Iowa does not require a state license for recovery coachs, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). Complete a training program to prepare.

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? No state license is required, but certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) are expected by most employers.

What do recovery coachs earn in Iowa? The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. Based on the related “Community Health Workers” category, the median annual wage in Iowa is $47,780, with entry-level wages around $37,690 and experienced workers earning $71,360 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): $47,780 per year (based on related “Community Health Workers” category) ¹

Recovery Coach Certification Options in Iowa

Iowa does not require a state license to work as a recovery coach. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for recovery coachs include:

CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate)

For more information, visit the NAADAC - Association for Addiction Professionals ³. Contact training programs in Iowa for details on certification preparation courses.

Recovery Coach Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Note: The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094).

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	90	$51,760	$54,850	$38,730	$79,690
Des Moines-West Des Moines	70	$46,790	$50,570	$38,240	$73,240
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	60	$46,650	$47,900	$36,760	$62,210
Sioux City	50	$46,600	$49,170	$38,640	$61,750
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	40	$47,590	$48,270	$38,770	$58,830

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 .

Top Metros for Recovery coaches in Iowa

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest recovery coach 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	70	$46,790
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	60	$46,650
Sioux City	50	$46,600
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	40	$47,590

Explore More Trades in Iowa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for recovery coachs in Iowa? Iowa employs approximately 390 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% 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.

How much do recovery coachs earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for recovery coachs in Iowa is $47,780 (based on the related “Community Health Workers” category), which is $3,250 below the national median of $51,030 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NAADAC - Association for Addiction Professionals: https://www.naadac.org/ ↩︎

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)