Iowa Electrician Pay by Trade
Updated 2026-10-29 · 2 trades with 5+ disclosed-pay postings
The Iowa electrician labor market
Iowa is a wind-powered electrician market where turbines, food processing, and insurance-city commercial work sustain steady demand. The state leads the nation in wind share of electricity — roughly two-thirds of in-state generation — employing turbine, substation, and transmission electricians across nearly every county, with repowering cycles creating recurring construction waves. Des Moines brings insurance and finance-tower commercial work, hospital expansions, and a growing data center presence (Meta's Altoona campus and enterprise facilities); Cedar Rapids adds food processing (Quaker, General Mills) and manufacturing; the Quad Cities share industrial demand with Illinois. Agricultural processing — ethanol plants, meatpacking, grain handling — sustains maintenance electricians in small cities statewide. Licensing is state-level through the Electrical Examining Board (journeyman, master, contractor classifications) with consistent enforcement — portable and respected. Union density is moderate in the metros and on industrial work (locals include Local 347 Des Moines, Local 405 Cedar Rapids, and Local 704 Dubuque); state prevailing wage covers state-funded public work above thresholds. Data centers are scaling in the Des Moines suburbs and along the I-80 corridor. Workforce dynamics are defined by stability and dispersion: work is spread across small cities rather than concentrated, experienced hands are valued over credentials-chasing, and apprentice pipelines keep reasonable pace. For electricians, wind/high-voltage tickets and the Altoona data center build lead on rate; Des Moines commercial and food-processing maintenance offer the steadiest careers with some of the Midwest's best rate-to-cost ratios.
| Trade | Median ($/hr) | Middle 50% ($/hr) | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | $42.07 | $35–$60 | 8 |
| Industrial Electrician | $41.83 | $35–$57.25 | 8 |
Medians come from active postings with disclosed pay; each trade page compares them against BLS OES and IBEW scales. How we calculate pay →
Top employers in Iowa
Frequently asked questions
What does an electrician make in Iowa?
Based on 7 disclosed-pay postings tracked by ElectricianDB, the median hourly pay for journeyman electrician work in Iowa is $35.00/hr. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a statewide electrician median of $29.26/hr.
Where are the highest-paying electrician jobs in Iowa?
The strongest recent postings cluster around Fairfax, Davenport. Top-end rates on active postings run above the $35.00/hr median — see the highest-paying openings listed on this page for current examples.
Which employers pay electricians the most in Iowa?
Among employers with repeated postings in Iowa, Aerotek show the highest average disclosed minimums. Averages reflect posted ranges, not verified take-home pay.
Do you need a Iowa electrician license to work there?
Most states require a license for unsupervised electrical work, and requirements vary by state and municipality — see our step-by-step licensing pathway for Iowa for the exact hours, exam, and fees.
What's the prevailing wage for electricians in Iowa?
Prevailing-wage coverage depends on federal and state funding rules that differ by project and jurisdiction — see Iowa prevailing wage rates for the current determinations.
How many electrician jobs are posted in Iowa right now?
ElectricianDB is currently tracking 7 disclosed-pay journeyman electrician postings in Iowa. Counts change as contractors post and fill roles.