Quick answer: The median roofer in Iowa earns $23.39/hr — about $48,660 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $65,000+. To hire one, a roofing company typically bills $50–$70 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what roofers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Iowa compares to other states.
Roofer income in Iowa (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Iowa's ~930 roofers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.82 | ~$3,089 | ~$37,066 |
| Median (typical) | $23.39 | ~$4,055 | $48,660 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $31.26 | ~$5,418 | ~$65,021 |
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 roofer takes home. What a roofing company 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 roofer wage (earned) | ~$23/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$70/hr |
Where Iowa ranks
Iowa pays roofers 12% below the national median, ranking 33rd of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Illinois | $37.45 |
| Iowa (33rd) | $23.39 |
| National median | $26.65 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $21.00 |
Roofer rates by Iowa metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median roofer wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $25.75/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $23.80/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $23.20/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $23.20/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Cedar Rapids | $23.00/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $22.62/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for roofers, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common roofing 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 |
|---|---|
| Roof inspection | $100–$350 |
| Minor leak repair | $125–$525 |
| Replace missing shingles | $175–$625 |
| Flashing repair | $175–$525 |
| Gutter replacement | $700–$2,200 |
| Asphalt shingle roof replacement | $5,500–$13,000 installed |
| Metal roof installation | $9,000–$22,000 installed |
| Flat roof repair | $350–$1,300 |
| Roof ventilation install | $275–$800 |
| Skylight installation | $800–$2,200 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How roofers compare to other trades in Iowa
Here's how roofer 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 roofer estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do roofers need a license in Iowa?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Iowa contractor & trade licensing to check whether roofers need a state license in Iowa, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do roofers make in Iowa?
The median roofer in Iowa earns about $48,660 a year ($23.39/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level roofers earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $65,000 or more.
Can a roofer make $100,000 a year in Iowa?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of roofers in Iowa earn about $65,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own roofing company and billing $50–$70/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do roofers charge per hour in Iowa?
In 2025, most Iowa roofers bill $50–$70 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $23/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do roofers earn more in Iowa than nationally?
Iowa's median roofer wage is about 12% below the national median of $26.65/hr, ranking 33rd of 51 states.
Which Iowa city pays roofers the most?
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area, at a $25.75/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for roofers.
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. Updated August 2026.