BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Iowa 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$60,860/yr median · $29.26/hr
State Median
$61k
vs. National
$2k
Top 10%
$89k
COL-Adjusted
$68k
Electrician Salary Range in Iowa
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Iowa, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).
10th percentile
$40k
$39,770/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$61k
$60,860/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$89k
$89,480/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Iowa earners makes about $39,770/yr, while the top 10% earn $89,480/yr or more — a range of $49,710. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.
Where Iowa Ranks
Iowa ranks #39 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Iowa pays $2,330 below the national average.
Iowa's cost-of-living index is 89 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $68,382/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.
Pay by Metro Area
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Iowa, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Metro | $58,400 | -2.5k |
| Cedar Rapids | $56,800 | -4.1k |
| Iowa City | $56,000 | -4.9k |
| Davenport (Quad Cities) | $60,400 | -0.5k |
| Sioux City | $52,800 | -8.1k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $15 - $19/hr | $31,000 - $40,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $22 - $28/hr | $46,000 - $58,000 |
| Journeyman (Class B) | $28 - $40/hr | $58,000 - $83,000 |
| Master Electrician (Class A) | $35 - $48/hr | $73,000 - $100,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $80 - $150/hr billed | $75,000 - $200,000 net |
Iowa Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Iowa
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 347 (Des Moines), Local 405 (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), Local 145 (Davenport-Quad Cities), Local 231 (Sioux City)
Union share: approximately 21% of electricians in Iowa are union.
Union electricians in Iowa typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in Iowa
Iowa electricians benefit from Microsoft, Meta, and Google data center expansion (Microsoft has multiple campuses in West Des Moines, Meta in Altoona, Google in Council Bluffs), MidAmerican Energy wind farm and transmission expansion (Iowa is a top-3 wind power state), and continued manufacturing growth at John Deere, Vermeer, and Collins Aerospace. The low 89 cost-of-living index makes nominal Iowa wages stretch significantly further than coastal equivalents.
Major Employers in Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Iowa?
What is the salary range for electricians in Iowa?
How does Iowa rank for electrician pay?
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What is the job outlook for electricians in Iowa?
Related Pages
State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.