How to Become a Roofer in Iowa (2026)

Iowa employs about 930 roofers earning a median $48,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most roofers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.

Iowa employs approximately 930 roofers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,660 1. Nationally, roofer employment is projected to grow 5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 12,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Roofer 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): $48,660 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Roofer in Iowa

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

How long does it take? Most paths into the roofer 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 roofers earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for roofers in Iowa is $48,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,070 and experienced professionals can earn $65,010 or more 1.

How to Become a Roofer 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 roofers in Iowa before you start working.

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

Roofer 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]

Roofer Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Roofers Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Omaha870$46,460$48,990$37,870$59,670
Des Moines-West Des Moines280$49,510$54,200$37,870$68,480
Cedar Rapids120$47,840$50,010$36,440$61,370
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island110$48,250$55,050$36,500$77,410
Sioux City90$47,050$48,730$38,400$64,720

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 roofers in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 930 roofers 1. Nationally, roofer employment is projected to grow 5.9% 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 roofers earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for roofers in Iowa is $48,660, which is $2,310 below the national median of $50,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Iowa

Explore More Trades in Iowa

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)