Plumbing Schools in Iowa

Iowa is a wonderful location to practice as a plumber. This is partly because the process to launch a career in this field in the state is very straightforward and also partly because there are several top-quality institutions where you can receive comprehensive training for a competitive advantage.

Plumbers in the state also enjoy a consistent stream of projects and a competitive annual average salary. This page contains a guide that breaks down all requirements so that candidates can be well-prepared when they begin their journeys.

Additionally, they will discover other important information, such as the licensing and certification steps, the top training programs in the state, and the annual average salary projection, depending on the most important factors.

How to Become a Plumber in Iowa

The following are the requirements needed to become a successful plumber in Iowa.

Educational Pathways

As with any other profession, plumbing requires extensive education to attain the right level of expertise. Iowa residents must prioritize two forms of education to start their careers.

Classroom Education

All worthwhile training programs for prospective plumbers will dedicate some time to teaching students the theoretical principles of the profession in the classroom. This is because it is only possible to acquire hands-on skills with a strong theoretical foundation upon which to build.

Many training programs offering classroom education for plumbers in Iowa can be completed quickly. Some certificate programs can be completed in six months, while some associate degree programs can be completed in 18 months.

Practical Education

Practical education or hands-on education is another paramount part of the process of becoming a successful plumber in Iowa. Apprenticeship programs and potential employers typically offer this kind of training to allow candidates to work in a real-world environment before they’re fully employed.

Employment

After education, prospective plumbers must consider licensing and certification requirements to make it easier to secure employment and put them on a strong path to enjoy career opportunities. The following section discusses the licensing requirements for plumbers in Iowa in more detail.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Become a welder in Iowa

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Plumbers in Iowa are expected to have a state license to perform professional duties. The Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, is responsible for setting regulations for plumbers and administering necessary exams.

To be licensed, candidates begin at the journeyman level, which allows them to take on basic duties in the field. This license requires an official application and payment of appropriate fees. From here, they may pursue a master’s license, which will improve their scope of duties.

Applicants searching for a master’s license must be at least 18. After working for some time as master plumbers in the state, candidates may pursue a contractor license, which will allow them to acquire large contracts.

The contractor license requires a permanent place of business and registration with the Iowa Division of Labor

Top Plumbing Schools in Iowa

The programs below are among the best for plumbers in Iowa.

Explore plumbing schools in Iowa by city:

• Plumbing schools in Des Moines

Salary & Career Outlook

The most important factors influencing the annual average salary of a plumber in Iowa are experience, location, specialty, and credentials. Professionals in the state who score favorably on these factors can scale their salaries to be among the highest-paid.

In this category, the annual average salary to expect is $89,000. Ultimately, candidates on the less favorable side of the factors will fall among the lowest-paid, taking home an annual average salary of $38,158.

The average annual salary for the median plumber in Iowa is $58,276, similar to the average salary in other states nationwide.

With location as the main variable, Quad Cities is the highest-paying city for plumbers in Iowa, with an annual average salary of $80,620. Also notable are Johnston and Des Moines, where plumbers manage annual average salaries of $77,611 and $61,750, respectively.

Concerning future projections, the BLS reports that the employment rate for plumbers will continue to rise over the coming years.