Quick answer: Plumbers in Iowa typically bill $70–$90 per hour (2025) — and more in higher-cost metros like Cedar Rapids. The median plumber earns $30.72/hr ($63,890/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a plumbing business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Iowa compares to other states.
Plumber income in Iowa (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Iowa's ~5,730 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $21.88 | ~$3,793 | ~$45,510 |
| Median (typical) | $30.72 | ~$5,324 | $63,890 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $46.87 | ~$8,124 | ~$97,490 |
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 plumber takes home. What a plumbing 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 plumber wage (earned) | ~$31/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $70–$90/hr |
Where Iowa ranks
Iowa pays plumbers right at the national median, ranking 26th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| Iowa (26th) | $30.72 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by Iowa metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $40.01/hr | $90–$120/hr |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36.69/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $36.08/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $29.91/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29.28/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $28.99/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $28.27/hr | $60–$85/hr |
Cedar Rapids is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for plumbers, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common plumbing 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 |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$130 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$350 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$300 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $175–$400 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $175–$400 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$525 |
| Sump pump replacement | $350–$800 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$350 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,150–$2,500 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,500–$10,500+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in Iowa
Here's how plumber pay lines up against Iowa's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $30.72/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Electrician | $29.26/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| HVAC technician | $29.17/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $27.75/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Roofer | $23.39/hr | $50–$70/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 plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in Iowa?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Iowa contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in Iowa, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Iowa?
In 2025, most Iowa plumbers bill $70–$90 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $31/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average plumber salary in Iowa?
The median plumber in Iowa earns about $63,890 a year ($30.72/hr). Entry-level plumbers earn around $46,000 and the most experienced earn $97,000 or more.
Do plumbers earn more in Iowa than nationally?
Iowa pays plumbers right about the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 26th of 51 states.
Which Iowa city pays plumbers the most?
Cedar Rapids, at a $40.01/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.