Highest-paying trades in Iowa
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Iowa, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $55.43 | $115,300 | $61.61 | 90 | 18th of 37 | -4.3% | 5% above |
| 2 | Lineman | $48.17 | $100,200 | $52.87 | 1,390 | 26th of 51 | +12.2% | 5% above |
| 3 | Construction manager | $47.73 | $99,280 | $80.41 | 3,070 | 46th of 51 | +8.3% | 14% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $39.65 | $82,470 | $42.44 | 50 | 16th of 37 | -16.9% | 8% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $37.75 | $78,510 | $50.94 | 9,660 | 29th of 51 | +2.2% | 2% below |
| 6 | Ironworker | $37.21 | $77,400 | $39.06 | — | 14th of 50 | +4.3% | 23% above |
| 7 | Wind turbine technician | $36.00 | $74,880 | $48.28 | 900 | 6th of 25 | +13.8% | 17% above |
| 8 | Brickmason | $33.38 | $69,440 | $37.97 | 290 | 16th of 50 | +20.1% | 12% above |
| 9 | Crane operator | $32.50 | $67,600 | $40.21 | 650 | 24th of 50 | +10.6% | 1% below |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $31.95 | $66,460 | $43.97 | 1,650 | 15th of 50 | +2.1% | 8% above |
| 11 | Plumber | $30.72 | $63,890 | $46.87 | 5,730 | 26th of 51 | +0.3% | about the same as |
| 12 | Millwright | $29.91 | $62,220 | $38.32 | 690 | 33rd of 48 | -5.0% | 5% below |
| 13 | Electrician | $29.26 | $60,860 | $43.02 | 10,310 | 40th of 51 | -14.5% | 4% below |
| 14 | HVAC technician | $29.17 | $60,680 | $41.48 | 3,840 | 27th of 51 | -6.6% | 1% below |
| 15 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.01 | $60,330 | $42.05 | 5,530 | 30th of 51 | -0.8% | 1% above |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $28.69 | $59,680 | $38.50 | 4,140 | 33rd of 51 | +13.1% | 3% below |
| 17 | Cement mason | $27.99 | $58,220 | $35.67 | 2,110 | 26th of 51 | +20.9% | 2% above |
| 18 | Carpenter | $27.75 | $57,710 | $36.80 | 5,770 | 31st of 51 | +8.9% | 5% below |
| 19 | Machinist | $27.66 | $57,540 | $34.21 | 2,880 | 36th of 51 | +15.7% | 2% below |
| 20 | Glazier | $27.56 | $57,330 | $34.57 | 430 | 25th of 50 | -0.7% | about the same as |
| 21 | Solar installer | $27.28 | $56,740 | $34.83 | 180 | 11th of 32 | — | 7% above |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $26.84 | $55,820 | $36.14 | 460 | 10th of 48 | — | 14% above |
| 23 | Welder | $26.49 | $55,090 | $31.37 | 9,270 | 28th of 51 | +13.8% | 3% above |
| 24 | Tile setter | $26.13 | $54,350 | $37.24 | 240 | 21st of 47 | +12.2% | 2% below |
| 25 | Drywall installer | $24.53 | $51,030 | $32.53 | 290 | 27th of 49 | +1.0% | 13% below |
| 26 | Painter | $23.90 | $49,710 | $32.22 | 1,770 | 24th of 51 | +4.0% | 1% above |
| 27 | Roofer | $23.39 | $48,660 | $31.26 | 930 | 33rd of 51 | +7.4% | 12% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $23.31 | $48,490 | $33.12 | 13,780 | 25th of 51 | +10.2% | 3% above |
Construction jobs in Iowa
93.8kConstruction jobs2026-08
+3.9%Change over 12 months
+10.5%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Iowa
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Iowa, 17 of 99 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $66.39/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Iowa
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Iowa?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $55.43 an hour in May 2025, followed by electrical power-line installers and repairers ($48.17) and construction managers ($47.73).
How does Iowa compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 16 pay above the national median in Iowa and 12 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 87.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Iowa.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).