Plumber in Des Moines, IA

The Salary Picture: Where Des Moines Stands

For a plumber considering Des Moines, the numbers tell a clear story: you’re looking at a stable, middle-class career in a city where your money goes further. The median salary for plumbers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area is $61,962/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.79/hour. This positions you solidly in the middle of the national market, which sits at a median of $63,350/year. You’re earning just a hair below the national average, but the lower cost of living more than makes up for that difference.

The job market here is steady, not explosive, but reliable. There are approximately 420 plumbing jobs in the metro area. Over the next decade, the field is projected to grow by 6%, which is consistent with broader national trends. This isn’t a boomtown for plumbers, but it’s a dependable one. You’ll find consistent work in residential service, commercial new construction, and industrial maintenance.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in this market:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range	Notes for Des Moines
Entry-Level	$38,000 - $48,000	Apprenticeship years. Often starts with company van and basic tools. Focus on learning code and service basics.
Mid-Career	$52,000 - $72,000	Licensed journeyman. This is where the median $61,962 lands. You can expect full benefits, a take-home vehicle, and more complex service calls.
Senior/Expert	$75,000 - $95,000+	Master plumber, service manager, or specialty focus (medical gas, industrial). Often includes profit-sharing or performance bonuses.

Local Insight: The top earners in Des Moines aren’t just the best at soldering; they’re the ones who understand the local housing stock. Knowing the quirks of older plumbing in neighborhoods like the South Side (cast iron pipes) versus the newer subdivisions in Johnston (PEX systems) can make you a more valuable employee and a more effective independent contractor.

Comparison to Other Iowa Cities:
Des Moines offers a strong median salary, but it’s important to see the full picture. Here’s how it stacks up against other major Iowa metros.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Real Wage Value
Des Moines, IA	$61,962	92.7	High
Cedar Rapids, IA	$59,500	88.1	Very High
Davenport, IA (Quad Cities)	$58,200	85.4	Highest
Ames, IA	$62,100	93.5	High
Iowa City, IA	$60,800	94.0	High

Analysis: Des Moines holds its own on salary. While a city like Davenport might have a slightly lower salary, the significantly lower cost of living can make it more attractive. However, Des Moines provides the largest job market (420 jobs) and the most diverse opportunities, from the industrial corridor to the booming healthcare sector. For a plumber seeking a balance of good pay and abundant job options, Des Moines is arguably the top pick in the state.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s ground the median salary of $61,962 in a real monthly budget. This is crucial for understanding your lifestyle in Des Moines. We’ll assume a single filer with standard deductions (no dependents, using the 2023 tax brackets for estimation).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $61,962

Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,163	Based on $61,962 annual salary.
Federal & State Taxes	~$975	Approx. 19% total. Includes federal income, Iowa state tax (4.4-5.7%), and FICA.
Health Insurance	$350	Company-paid portion often covers ~70%. This is your share for a decent plan.
Retirement (401k)	$258	A solid 5% contribution to start building wealth.
Net Take-Home Pay	~$3,580	This is your actual cash on hand each month.
Average 1BR Rent	$899	This is the citywide average.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)	$200	Highly variable with seasons. Winter heating can spike this.
Car Payment & Insurance	$500	Assume a modest used vehicle payment and full coverage.
Food & Groceries	$400	Cooking at home; reasonable for one person.
Gas & Commute	$150	Des Moines is car-dependent. Commute times vary by neighborhood.
Miscellaneous	$381	Cell phone, streaming, personal care, etc.
Monthly Surplus	$1,050	$550 after adding a $500 "safety net" for tools/work costs.

Insider Tip: The budget above is for a $61,962 salary, which is the median. As you move into mid-career and senior roles ($72k+), that surplus grows significantly. Many plumbers in Des Moines also work occasional overtime or on-call shifts, which can add $5,000-$10,000 annually to their income, further padding that surplus.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. The median home price in the Des Moines metro is around $225,000. With a $1,050 monthly surplus (post-essential expenses and a 5% retirement contribution), a plumber earning the median can comfortably save for a down payment.

• Down Payment (20%): $45,000
• Timeline to Save: With disciplined saving of $1,000/month, you could have your down payment in under 4 years.
• Mortgage Payment: For a $225k home with $45k down, a 30-year fixed mortgage at ~7% would be around $1,200/month (including taxes/insurance). This is slightly more than the average rent but is building equity.

Local Insight: Many plumbers in Des Moines live in the suburbs (Ankeny, Waukee, Norwalk) where housing is more affordable. A $225,000 home buys a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in a family-friendly neighborhood. The commute to downtown or industrial areas is typically 20-30 minutes, which is standard. Owning a home is not just a dream; it's a standard career milestone for established plumbers here.

Where the Jobs Are: Des Moines's Major Employers

The plumbing job market in Des Moines is anchored by a mix of large local companies, national chains, and institutional employers. Hiring is steady, and turnover is moderate. Companies are always looking for licensed journeyman plumbers who are reliable, drug-free, and have a clean driving record.

Here are the major players:

1. Anderson Plumbing & Heating: A Des Moines institution. They are one of the largest residential and commercial contractors in the metro. Known for strong training programs and a large fleet. They handle everything from new construction in West Des Moines to service calls in Windsor Heights. Hiring trend: Actively expanding their service division; they value technicians who can handle both repair and installation.

2. Miller Electric (Plumbing Division): While known as an electrical giant, Miller Electric has a significant plumbing and HVAC division, especially in the commercial/industrial sector. This is where you find work on large projects like the new MercyOne hospital expansion or the new data centers in the area. Hiring trend: Focused on commercial plumbers with experience in medical gas and industrial systems.

3. City of Des Moines - Water & Sewer Division: The ultimate steady job. City plumbers maintain and repair the municipal water and sewer infrastructure. The pay is competitive (often with excellent benefits and a pension), and the work is critical. Hiring trend: Not frequent, but they do hire. It’s a long process—typical of government jobs—but worth keeping an eye on.

4. Hy-Vee Facilities Department: The grocery giant is headquartered in the Des Moines metro. Their in-house facilities team handles plumbing maintenance for over 250 stores, warehouses, and their corporate offices. It's a stable, salaried position with great benefits. Hiring trend: They look for multi-skilled technicians; plumbing experience is a huge plus but knowledge of other trades is valuable too.

5. Des Moines Public Schools: The largest school district in Iowa has a massive facilities and maintenance department. Plumbers here work on everything from bathroom renovations in high schools to boiler system maintenance. Hiring trend: Steady, especially ahead of summer projects. Unionized, with a strong benefits package.

6. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service: The national franchise model. This is a common starting point for new journeyman plumbers. The pay is often commission-based, which can be high ($70k+ for top performers) but requires relentless sales pressure. Hiring trend: Always hiring due to high turnover. A good place to learn service plumbing quickly, but many move on to more stable companies.

7. Private Industrial Contractors (e.g., Weitz, Mortenson): These large construction firms have plumbing subcontractors on speed dial for major projects in the downtown core (like the new Polk County Courthouse annex) and the airport. Hiring trend: Project-based. You often get on with a subcontractor for the duration of a build, then move to the next project. Great for earning high wages, but not a permanent 9-to-5.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are often not advertised on Indeed. They’re filled through referrals at local supply houses like Hajoca or Ferguson. Get to know the counter staff. They know who’s busy and who’s hiring.

Getting Licensed in IA

Iowa has a clear, structured path to licensure, managed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). You cannot perform plumbing work for hire without a license.

Requirements and Costs:

1. Apprenticeship: You must complete a minimum of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed plumber, typically over 3-4 years. You also need to complete 144 hours of classroom instruction per year (often through programs at Des Moines Area Community College - DMACC).
2. Journeyman Plumber License: After apprenticeship, you must pass the state exam. The application fee is around $125. The exam itself is another $235. You must also show proof of insurance.
3. Master Plumber License: To pull permits and run your own business, you need 5,000 hours of journeyman experience and must pass the Master Plumber exam. Fees are similar: application ($125) + exam ($235).
4. Iowa Plumber License Cost (Total to Journeyman): Expect to spend $1,000 - $2,500 total over 4 years on books, fees, and tools. Some employers will reimburse this after you get your license.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Month 1-3: Secure a job as a plumbing helper/apprentice. This is the hardest part. Apply to local shops and unions (Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 400).
• Year 1: Start formal apprenticeship. Get your OSHA 10 card. Start accumulating hours.
• Year 3-4: Complete required classroom hours. Begin studying for the Journeyman exam.
• Year 4-5: Take and pass the exam. Apply for your Journeyman license. Now you can work independently and earn the median salary.

Insider Tip: The Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 400 union apprenticeship is a highly respected path. It offers structured training, higher wages, and national portability. The non-union path is just as valid but relies more on the specific company you work for. Both are excellent routes in Des Moines.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Des Moines will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent. The metro is spread out, but a central location is key for service plumbers who cover a wide area.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR) Estimate	Why It's Good for Plumbers
Beaverdale	North-central. Quiet, tree-lined, older homes. 15-20 min commute to most downtown/industrial areas.	$975 - $1,150	Proximity to I-235 and I-80/I-35. Great for service plumbers who need quick access across the metro. Solid, established neighborhood.
Ankeny (North)	Suburban, family-oriented, fast-growing. 20-25 min to downtown.	$850 - $1,050	Major hub for new construction (Thornridge, Johnston). If you work for a new construction shop, this is a perfect home base. Lower rent than central Des Moines.
The South Side (South of Army Post Rd)	Industrial, blue-collar, authentic. 15-25 min commute.	$750 - $950	Where many plumbers live. Close to the industrial corridor (SE 30th & SE 14th St). Very affordable. Housing is older but solid.
Clive/Waukee	Upscale suburbs. 20-30 min to downtown.	$1,100 - $1,300	If you're a senior plumber with a family and a high income, this is where you buy a home. For renting, it's pricey. Commutes are easy on Highway 5.
Downtown/East Village	Urban, trendy, walkable. 10-15 min to anything.	$1,200 - $1,600+	Best for young, single plumbers who want a nightlife. Not practical for storing a work van or tools. Rents are high, but your commute is minimal.

Insider Tip: For a plumber, parking for your work van is non-negotiable. Downtown and East Village apartments often have limited or expensive parking, which can be a dealbreaker. Beaverdale and the South Side typically offer ample off-street parking, which is a huge practical advantage.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumbing career in Des Moines has a clear ceiling, but it’s a high one. Most plumbers hit the median or slightly above and stay there, but with strategic moves, you can significantly outpace that figure.

Specialty Premiums: These are the fastest way to boost your income above the $61,962 median.

• Medical Gas Certification: In high demand due to MercyOne and UnityPoint hospital expansions. Can add $5-$8/hour to your wage.
• Industrial Piping: Working on process piping in manufacturing plants (like John Deere or John Deere's suppliers). Often requires overtime and travel but pays $35-$45/hour.
• Backflow Prevention: Certification is required for commercial properties. It’s a niche skill with high demand for testing and installation.
• Service Management: Moving from the field to the office. You’ll handle quotes, schedules, and customer service. Pay can range from $70,000 to $90,000, but you lose the physical work and overtime.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field to Management: Start as a service technician, become a lead, then a service manager.
2. Field to Sales: Transition into a sales role for a plumbing supply house or a contractor.
3. The Entrepreneurial Route: This is the ultimate path. Starting your own one- or two-truck shop in Des Moines is very viable. The market is large enough to support new players, especially if you specialize. A successful owner can earn $120,000+, but it comes with significant business overhead and stress.

10-Year Outlook (6% Growth):
The 6% job growth over 10 years means about 25-30 new jobs per year in the metro. It’s not explosive, but it’s stable. What will change is technology. Expect more demand for smart home water sensors, trenchless pipe repair, and high-efficiency system installations. Plumbers who stay current with these technologies will be the most valuable. The aging housing stock in Des Moines (lots of homes from the 1950s-70s) guarantees a constant pipeline of service and repiping work.

The Verdict: Is Des Moines Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living: Your $61,962 salary goes much further than in coastal cities.	Car-Dependent: You will need a reliable vehicle for work and life.
Stable Job Market: 420 jobs and 6% growth offer reliability, not just hype.	Midwest Winters: Frozen pipes and cold-weather work can be physically demanding.
Diverse Work: From historic home repairs to brand-new