Plumber in Iowa
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA
How to Become a Plumber in Iowa
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Iowa, individuals must complete a four-year apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, or hold a master-level license from another jurisdiction. After meeting the education/experience requirements, applicants must pass the Iowa Journeyman Plumber Examination. The licensing body is the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, which also handles renewals every three years with a requirement of 8 continuing education hours per cycle. Iowa has a reciprocity agreement with South Dakota for plumbing licenses.
Plumber Requirements in Iowa
| Detail | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship registered program, or a master-level license from another jurisdiction. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Iowa Journeyman Plumber Examination ($119) |
| Application Fee | $180 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Master Plumber requires 2 years of experience as a licensed Journeyman. Applicants with felony convictions are subject to review by the board. |
License Tiers
Iowa offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 12,000 |
Plumber Salary in Iowa
The median plumber salary in Iowa is $61,230 per year, which is 2.8% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,840 |
| 25th | $48,510 |
| 50th (median) | $61,230 |
| 75th | $80,450 |
| 90th (experienced) | $92,690 |
Iowa employs approximately 6,350 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
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 a Plumber in Iowa Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $400 and a median salary of $61,230 in Iowa, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Iowa's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.