Carpenter Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Carpenters in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$57,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $60,580
State Rank
#31 of 51
5,770 employed here

How much does a Carpenter make in Iowa?

A Carpenter working in Iowa earns a median salary of $57,710 per year, or about $27.75 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $60,580 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $39,040 while the top 10% make $76,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,640 and $65,910 a year.

Carpenter salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,040$18.77
25th percentile (early career)$47,640$22.90
50th percentile (median)$57,710$27.75
75th percentile (experienced)$65,910$31.69
90th percentile (top earners)$76,540$36.80

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Carpenter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$85,280
2Illinois$79,000
3California$75,920
4Massachusetts$75,200
5Washington$74,190

Working as a Carpenter in Iowa

Nationally, about 670,000 people work as Carpenters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($57,710) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Carpenter make in Iowa?
The median Carpenter salary in Iowa is $57,710 per year, or about $27.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,040 at the entry level to $76,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Carpenters about 5% less than the national median of $60,580. Iowa ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Carpenters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,710 a year. About 5,770 Carpenters are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Carpenter salary report

Related salaries

Helpers--Carpenters

$43,780
median pay · 22,000 employed

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

$76,170
median pay · 1,000 employed

Helpers--Extraction Workers

$47,730
median pay · 7,000 employed

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

$56,460
median pay · 24,000 employed

Fence Erector

$47,980
median pay · 24,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.