Plumber Salary in Iowa: $75,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $75,440/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $83,451 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cedar Rapids ($83,210), Davenport ($76,310), Des Moines ($75,040).
In Iowa, the average median salary for plumbers in 2026 is projected to be $75,440, which is 15.3% higher than the national median of $65,408. This discrepancy is significant and reflects the demand and regional economic conditions supporting the plumbing profession in the state. The highest paying city for plumbers is Cedar Rapids, with salaries reaching $85,307, while the lowest is Fort Dodge at $59,297, highlighting a $26,010 salary gap that can be attributed to local cost of living, demand for plumbing services, and the concentration of construction activity. Iowa-specific factors impacting plumbing salaries include state licensing requirements, which mandate plumbers to undergo training and obtain necessary certifications to ensure quality and safety. Additionally, the state's scope of practice laws define the extent of plumbing services, contributing to job demand. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.52%, the job market for plumbers in Iowa appears stable, reflecting steady demand for skilled tradespeople. Other prominent cities like Davenport, Des Moines, and West Des Moines are expected to offer competitive salaries, making Iowa an appealing state for those entering the plumbing profession.
Iowa Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $40,516 (lowest entry-level) to $117,702 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa plumbers earn 15.34% more than the national median (+$10,032/year difference).
Iowa Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Iowa range from $47,945 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,794 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,440. The Iowa median is $10,032 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $36.27/hr. Approximately 4,676 plumbers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,880
2025 BLS Actual
$73,586
2026 Current Est.
$75,440
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,527 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,935 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 22.9% from $59,880 (2019) to $73,586 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,461 (29.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $59,297 |
| Johnston | $59,957 |
| Ottumwa | $60,102 |
| Muscatine | $60,331 |
| Clinton | $60,618 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $85,307 | 88.963 | $95,890 |
| Davenport | $78,233 | 89.079 | $87,824 |
| West Des Moines | $75,937 | 90.4 | $84,001 |
| Des Moines | $76,931 | 91.701 | $83,893 |
| Ames | $65,428 | 88.83 | $73,655 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,945 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,440 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,794 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $85,307 |
| 2 | Davenport | $78,233 |
| 3 | Des Moines | $76,931 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $75,937 |
| 5 | Ames | $65,428 |
| 6 | Cedar Falls | $65,127 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $63,767 |
| 8 | Marion | $63,519 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $62,927 |
| 10 | Iowa City | $62,896 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $62,778 |
| 12 | Sioux City | $62,424 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $62,383 |
| 14 | Burlington | $62,027 |
| 15 | Waukee | $61,803 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $61,720 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $61,715 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $61,524 |
| 19 | Coralville | $61,443 |
| 20 | Mason City | $61,158 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $60,918 |
| 22 | Clinton | $60,618 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $60,331 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $60,102 |
| 25 | Johnston | $59,957 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $59,297 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced plumbers.
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Iowa?
How does Iowa plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Iowa?
How many plumbers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for plumbers?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov