Carpenter salary in Iowa City, IA
Carpenters in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $49,680 a year ($23.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,880 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 14% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $57,710. There are 3.8 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Median | $49,680 | $23.89 |
| 75th percentile | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Average (mean) | $54,090 | $26.00 |
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 | $4,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,070 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,910.77 |
| Weekly | $955.38 |
| Hourly | $23.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Electrician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,350 | $29.49 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,130 | $27.95 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $78,030 | $37.51 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
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 City, IA?
The median salary for carpenters in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $49,680 a year, or $23.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $71,880 a year. The top 25% earn $61,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,060 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $45,720 or less.
How many carpenters work in Iowa City, IA?
About 360 carpenters are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.