Plumber Career Guide in Iowa
Explore plumber salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Iowa.
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How to Become a Plumber in Iowa
Plumbers in Iowa install, repair, and maintain water supply, drainage, waste, venting, fixtures, and related plumbing systems. The statewide median wage is approximately $61,230 per year, which is about $1,740 lower than the national median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Most plumbers in Iowa complete a four- or five-year registered apprenticeship sponsored by United Association local unions, mechanical contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, community colleges, or other approved employers.
The standard journey-level pathway requires at least four years of practical experience in a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program. Many programs include approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training together with classroom and laboratory instruction.
Training covers plumbing theory, the Iowa State Plumbing Code, potable-water systems, sanitary drainage, venting, fuel-gas piping, blueprint reading, pipe installation, hydronic systems, medical gas piping, backflow prevention, welding, and workplace safety.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Plumber Salary in Iowa
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Iowa median wage for plumber workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,970, the median wage in Iowa is approximately $1,740 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Plumbers in Iowa
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONPlumber Training Requirements in Iowa
Obtain an Apprentice Plumber license and complete a plumbing apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. The standard Journeyperson pathway requires at least four years of qualifying apprentice experience.
After completing the apprenticeship, obtain examination approval, pass the Iowa Journeyperson Plumber examination, and apply for licensure. A licensed Journeyperson must work under the supervision of a Master Plumber and for a properly licensed contractor.
Iowa Plumbing Code & System Design
Apprentices study the Iowa State Plumbing Code, fixture requirements, water-distribution design, sanitary drainage, venting, permits, inspections, and code-compliant plumbing practices.
Water Supply & Drainage Systems
Training covers potable-water piping, sanitary drainage, vent systems, storm drainage, water heaters, pumps, pressure regulation, sewage systems, and plumbing-system troubleshooting.
Pipe Installation & Blueprint Reading
Students learn blueprint interpretation, plumbing layout, pipe sizing, copper soldering and brazing, threaded piping, cast-iron installation, plastic piping, valves, supports, hangers, and fixture connections.
Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Advanced training includes commercial plumbing, process piping, hydronic systems, compressed air, steam piping, mechanical rooms, medical gas installations, and backflow prevention.
Plumbing Safety & OSHA Practices
Programs emphasize trench safety, confined-space procedures, lockout/tagout, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, and safe use of plumbing tools and machinery.
Plumber Training Providers in Iowa
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | View Program |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | View Program |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo | View Program |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs | View Program |
| Eastern Iowa Community Colleges | Davenport | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESPlumber Apprenticeship Programs in Iowa
Plumbing Apprenticeship Training
Organization: Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa
Plumber Licensing Requirements in Iowa
Iowa regulates plumbers through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, which operates within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
Individuals performing regulated plumbing work must hold the appropriate state-issued license or an active Apprentice License. Iowa issues Apprentice, Journeyperson, Master, Contractor, Specialty, and Medical Gas Piping credentials.
Iowa licenses plumbing Apprentices, Journeypersons, Masters, and Contractors through the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. A Journeyperson works under the direction of a licensed Master, and plumbing businesses must hold the applicable contractor license.
Most candidates begin in a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship, complete at least four years of practical experience, and pass the Iowa Journeyperson Plumbing examination. A Journeyperson Plumber must work under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber and for an appropriately licensed contractor.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPlumber Job Outlook in Iowa
Iowa provides steady employment opportunities for plumbers because of advanced manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, commercial construction, healthcare facilities, data centers, utilities, renewable fuels, residential development, and public infrastructure investment.
Des Moines is the state’s largest plumbing employment market and supports plumbers working in hospitals, office buildings, apartments, schools, data centers, government facilities, and industrial projects.
Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and Iowa City provide additional opportunities in food processing, manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, commercial construction, utilities, and municipal infrastructure.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported approximately 6,640 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Iowa, with an annual mean wage of $64,540 and an hourly mean wage of $31.03 in its May 2023 estimates.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the plumber salary in Iowa?
The statewide median wage for plumbers in Iowa is approximately $61,230 per year, or $29.44 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Iowa require plumber licensing?
Yes. Iowa requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt plumber work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Iowa?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are plumbers in demand in Iowa?
Iowa projects plumber employment to grow by approximately 9% from 2022 to 2032. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Iowa Wages for Plumber (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Iowa Plumber Wages
- Iowa Plumber Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Iowa Plumber Employment Trends
- Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board — Licensing authority. Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board