BLS OES May 2024
Electrician Salary in Iowa 2026
Updated 17 April 2026
$55,200/yr average · $26.54/hr
State Median
$55k
vs. National
$6k
Top 10%
$84k
COL-Adjusted
$62k
Where Iowa Ranks
Iowa ranks #24 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Iowa pays $6,390 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 $62,022/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
BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Metro | $58,400 | ++3.2k |
| Cedar Rapids | $56,800 | ++1.6k |
| Iowa City | $56,000 | ++0.8k |
| Davenport (Quad Cities) | $60,400 | ++5.2k |
| Sioux City | $52,800 | -2.4k |
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
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Related Pages
Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.