Construction Laborer salary in Iowa
Construction Laborers in Iowa earn a median of $48,490 a year ($23.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,900 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $47,120. Iowa ranks 25th of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 8.8 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| 25th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Median | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| 75th percentile | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Average (mean) | $51,580 | $24.80 |
Half of construction laborers 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 | $4,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,020.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,865 |
| Weekly | $932.50 |
| Hourly | $23.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $54,380 | 1,320 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,980 | 3,510 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $49,950 | 710 |
| Ames, IA | $49,810 | 600 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,800 | 500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,670 | 990 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,630 | 560 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,300 | 3,990 |
| Iowa City, IA | $47,940 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 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 47-2061. 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 construction laborer make in Iowa?
The median salary for construction laborers in Iowa is $48,490 a year, or $23.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of construction laborers in Iowa earn at least $68,900 a year. The top 25% earn $58,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,180 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $45,560 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Iowa?
About 13,780 construction laborers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.