How to Become an Electrician in Iowa

The demand for skilled electricians in Iowa is steadily growing.

Because of this, electricians in Iowa are reaping the benefits of a steady income, plus various career growth opportunities.

The job security that comes along with this profession is one of the main reasons so many people want to pursue it.

If you’re one of those people, then keep reading to find out how you can become an electrician in Iowa!

Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Administrative Services states that the skills and duties necessary to become an electrician include:

• Performing skilled work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of wiring, power appliances, machinery, underground circuits, and pole lines.
• Laying out, assembling, installing, and maintaining electrical fixtures such as boxes, conduit, wiring outlets, and switch panels; tests circuits for proper connections.
• Installing high-voltage distributor transformers plus making internal connections to adjust to the required voltage
• Making rough sketches and estimating the cost of minor electrical installations; interpreting several blueprints, sketches, and specifications in making electrical installations.

You’ll also need to have some soft skills, such as:

• Troubleshooting – Determining the causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about them.
• Repairing – Repairing machines or systems using the necessary tools.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking the time to understand the points that are being made, asking questions when appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Installation – Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

How to Become an Electrician in Iowa

Still interested in becoming an electrician?

Read below to find the steps you need to take to pursue your future career!

Make Sure You Meet The Requirements

To be eligible for an electrical license in Iowa, you must be 18 years old or older.

You must also make sure to have a high school diploma or a GED.

Before applying to take the licensing exam, make sure you’ve reached these requirements!

Get All the Necessary Classroom Hours

You must complete 2000 hours of classroom training before you can apply for your electrical license in Iowa.

Be sure you meet this requirement, or else you will not be able to get your electrical license.

Complete The Required Training

If you don’t make sure to gain 6,000 hours of hands-on work experience, you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license in Iowa.

So, be sure you get all the required work hours!

You can achieve this by either completing an apprenticeship program or while attending a technical school or a community college.

Apply For Your License

Once you are sure you’ve met all the necessary requirements, you can apply for your license!

To do this, you’ll need to take and pass an electrical exam.

Training Programs for Electricians in Iowa

Here are some institutions in Iowa that offer electrical training programs.

Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center

The Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center offers a 2-year program that includes 4,000 hours of paid On-The-Job Training and 380 hours of Related Study via classroom and lab.

Crejatc.org says, “The Cedar Rapids Electrical JATC is a joint Labor-Management training program made up of the combined support of IBEW Local 405 and the Iowa Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.”

This apprenticeship gives the students who opt to take the program an opportunity to “Earn While You Learn”- where you are paid to learn and gain work experience under the supervision of a qualified electrician. 

The program teaches different kinds of work, including:

• Residential Power and Lighting Systems
• Residential Television and Cable Systems
• Residential Climate Control Systems

And more.

Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship

The Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship offers several apprenticeship programs.

Students can opt to partake in a 5-year program with the Inside Wireman apprenticeship, a 3-year program with the Installer Technician apprenticeship, or an alternative 2-year program with the Residential Wireman apprenticeship.

According to Dmelejatc.org, “The Inside Wireman installs and maintains all of the various types of electrical systems found in commercial and industrial facilities.

This equipment may be lighting and receptacles, motors, heating equipment, to systems that control the operation of all of a facility’s energy usage.

And The Residential Wiremen, like the Inside Wireman, installs the systems that distribute power from the point of entry in a building to the equipment within a building that uses that power.”

Inside Wireman and Residential Wireman are slightly different.

While Inside Wireman may perform electrical work in commercial and industrial facilities, Residential Wireman may perform and maintain the electrical systems inside homes and other types of residential installations.

Electrician Salaries in Iowa

Electricians in Iowa can earn a wide range of salaries, from $40,000 per year to $70,000+ per year.

Earning potential depends on things like expertise, specialization, or your place of residency.

For more insight into how an electrician in Iowa’s salary can vary depending on city, look at the chart below!

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Des Moines	$63,023
West Des Moines	$63,023
Cedar Rapids	$62,441
Ames	$62,436
Davenport	$61,936
Iowa City	$61,932
Council Bluffs	$61,699
Dubuque	$61,602
Waterloo	$59,341
Sioux City	$56,652

Regional Salary in Iowa

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an electrician make per hour in Iowa?

It depends on experience and expertise, but most electricians in Iowa earn between $25 and $35 an hour.

How much do electrician apprenticeships pay in Iowa?

Electrician apprenticeships most often pay between $20 and $25 an hour in Iowa.

How many classroom hours to become an electrician in Iowa

You’ll need to complete 576 classroom hours to become an electrician in Iowa.

Electrician Info by State