Quick answer: Painters in Iowa typically bill $55–$70 per hour (2025) — and more in higher-cost metros like Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL. The median painter earns $23.90/hr ($49,710/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a painting business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what painters earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Iowa compares to other states.
Painter income in Iowa (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Iowa's ~1,770 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.83 | ~$3,091 | ~$37,086 |
| Median (typical) | $23.90 | ~$4,142 | $49,710 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $32.22 | ~$5,585 | ~$67,018 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a painter takes home. What a painting business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median painter wage (earned) | ~$24/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $55–$70/hr |
Where Iowa ranks
Iowa pays painters right at the national median, ranking 24th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| Iowa (24th) | $23.90 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by Iowa metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $27.82/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $27.60/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $26.44/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $22.48/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Cedar Rapids | $22.21/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $21.91/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $21.70/hr | $50–$65/hr |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for painters, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common painting jobs cost in Iowa
At Iowa billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Iowa range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $300–$900 |
| Whole-home interior | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Exterior house painting | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $900–$3,500 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $300–$1,200 |
| Deck / fence staining | $400–$1,500 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $150–$500 |
| Ceiling painting | $200–$700 |
| Garage floor coating | $600–$2,000 |
| Wallpaper removal | $300–$1,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in Iowa
Here's how painter pay lines up against Iowa's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $27.75/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $25.08/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Painter | $23.90/hr | $55–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $23.39/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.71/hr | $40–$55/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free painter estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do painters need a license in Iowa?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Iowa contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in Iowa, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters charge per hour in Iowa?
In 2025, most Iowa painters bill $55–$70 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $24/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average painter salary in Iowa?
The median painter in Iowa earns about $49,710 a year ($23.90/hr). Entry-level painters earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $67,000 or more.
Do painters earn more in Iowa than nationally?
Iowa pays painters right about the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 24th of 51 states.
Which Iowa city pays painters the most?
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, at a $27.82/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.