Electrician in Iowa
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA
How to Become an Electrician in Iowa
To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Iowa, individuals must apply through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Electrical Examining Board. Key steps include completing a registered apprenticeship program or accumulating 8,000 hours of experience, passing the Iowa Journeyman Electrician Exam administered by PSI, and submitting an application with the associated fee. Iowa has reciprocity agreements with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Electrician Requirements in Iowa
| Detail | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Electrical Examining Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Iowa Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) ($87) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 18.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The application fee is the same as the 3-year license fee. For Class A Journeyman, completion of a registered apprenticeship program is required. Experience hours can be substituted with education in an approved electrical curriculum or apprenticeship program for a maximum of 2,000 hours of the required 8,000 hours. All exams are open book and require a 75% passing score. The current NEC edition for testing is 2023. |
Source: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Electrical Examining Board
License Tiers
Iowa offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
Electrician Salary in Iowa
The median electrician salary in Iowa is $62,880 per year, which is 0.9% above the national median of $62,350.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,950 |
| 25th | $48,010 |
| 50th (median) | $62,880 |
| 75th | $80,200 |
| 90th (experienced) | $86,890 |
Iowa employs approximately 8,900 electricians.
Electrician Job Outlook
AI Impact on Electricians
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.78/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming an Electrician in Iowa Worth It?
Factors to consider: Iowa's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.