Carpenter salary in Iowa
Carpenters in Iowa earn a median of $57,710 a year ($27.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,540 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $60,580. Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 3.7 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,640, close to the median.
Pay range for carpenters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| 25th percentile | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Median | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 75th percentile | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Average (mean) | $57,640 | $27.71 |
Half of carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,404.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,219.62 |
| Weekly | $1,109.81 |
| Hourly | $27.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,360 | 1,810 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,440 | 670 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,090 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,920 | 530 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $55,840 | 260 |
| Ames, IA | $55,640 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $52,800 | 3,230 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $51,100 | 350 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,680 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 |
| Illinois | $79,000 |
| California | $75,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| Washington | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $73,860 |
| New York | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Roofer | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Glazier | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Pipelayer | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $54,350 | $26.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Iowa?
The median salary for carpenters in Iowa is $57,710 a year, or $27.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of carpenters in Iowa earn at least $76,540 a year. The top 25% earn $65,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,040 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $47,640 or less.
How many carpenters work in Iowa?
About 5,770 carpenters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.