What Carpenters Earn in Iowa
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Iowa Median
$54,080
per year
National Median
$53,230
per year
Entry Level (25th)
$38,250
Median
$53,230
Experienced (75th)
$72,130
Top Earners (90th)
$91,080
National percentiles shown. Iowa-specific percentile data varies.
Career Path
From apprentice to running your own operation in Iowa
Carpenter Helper / Laborer
$30,000–$42,000Years 0–2
Start as a helper on a framing or finish crew. Learn to read blueprints, use hand and power tools, and understand construction sequences. Many carpenters learn this way without a formal apprenticeship.
Apprentice / Journeyperson Carpenter
$42,000–$65,000Years 2–6
Through a UBC union apprenticeship or accumulated experience, become a journeyperson. Specialize in rough framing, finish work, formwork, or millwork.
Lead Carpenter / Foreman
$60,000–$82,000Years 6–10
Supervise a crew on commercial or residential projects. Foremen coordinate with GCs and subcontractors and are responsible for quality and schedule.
Carpentry Contractor
$75,000–$150,000+Years 8+
With experience and a contractor's license, run your own carpentry or general contracting business. Custom home builders and finish carpenters who go independent often earn $100,000+.
How to Get Started in Iowa
Step-by-step path into the carpenter trade
- 1
Join a UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) apprenticeship (carpenters.org) — 3–4 years, paid from day one.
Browse carpentry apprenticeships → - 2
Prefer to start now? Find a framing or finish carpentry contractor who hires helpers — most will take motivated people with no experience.
Find hiring contractors → - 3
Community college carpentry programs give you a solid foundation and can count toward apprenticeship credit.
Find carpentry programs → - 4
Learn to read blueprints and construction plans — it's the single skill that separates average carpenters from ones who get promoted.
- 5
Get your OSHA 10 card — required on most commercial job sites and easy to get online in a day.