Trade Schools in Iowa
Two paths into the skilled trades in Iowa. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
197 programs
at 38 Iowa schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$78,118/yr
Electrical Installation · Northwest Iowa Community College
Avg grad earnings
$40,544/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
19 trades
1,537 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$95,850/yr
Electrical Power-Line Worker · median wage
Avg median wage
$61,657/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Iowa
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Iowa, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Iowa-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $107,010 | 190 |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $95,850 | 1,440 |
| Boilermaker | $68,410 | — |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,090 | 5,860 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $63,470 | 410 |
| Electrician | $62,880 | 8,900 |
| Glazier | $62,270 | 480 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,620 | 1,590 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $61,230 | 6,350 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,490 | 3,990 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,800 | 4,270 |
| Firefighter | $55,190 | 2,050 |
| Carpenter | $54,080 | 6,650 |
| Machinist | $53,400 | 3,010 |
| Welder | $49,450 | 9,250 |
| Insulation Worker | $48,960 | 340 |
| Construction Painter | $48,780 | 1,730 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $48,400 | 8,060 |
| Roofer | $47,110 | 1,070 |
See the full Iowa apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Iowa
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Iowa
Most common skilled trade programs at Iowa trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Iowa.
Vehicle Repair Technology
$45,468/yr avg grad
Welding & Metalworking
$39,920/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$50,410/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$39,665/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$48,979/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$44,373/yr avg grad
Carpentry
$39,512/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Iowa: Electrical Installation at Northwest Iowa Community College — $78,118/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (33)
Healthcare (73)
Engineering & Technology (16)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (6)
Personal Services (18)
Business & Office (11)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (12)
Arts & Design (2)
Family & Consumer Sciences (1)
Other Programs (25)
Skilled Trades (33 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Installation | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
85 | $78,118/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
79 | $60,943/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
75 | $44,198/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown |
74 | $43,768/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
72 | $43,536/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
72 | $35,556/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
71 | $47,545/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
69 | $52,325/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
69 | $50,901/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown |
69 | $45,972/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
69 | $35,550/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
68 | $49,556/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
68 | $45,509/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
67 | $41,613/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
66 | $52,345/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
66 | $43,588/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
66 | $39,397/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
65 | $53,083/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
65 | $52,174/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City |
65 | $47,882/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
65 | $44,896/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
64 | $47,762/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
64 | $46,852/yr |
| Carpentry | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
63 | $34,421/yr |
| Carpentry | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
62 | $44,602/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
62 | $18,387/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
61 | $48,114/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
61 | $37,520/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
60 | $44,875/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville |
60 | $34,586/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
59 | $36,401/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
56 | $27,404/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
49 | $27,761/yr |
Healthcare (73 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
83 | $57,546/yr |
| Nursing | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
81 | $62,338/yr |
| Nursing | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
80 | $63,214/yr |
| Nursing | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown |
80 | $61,954/yr |
| Nursing | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
79 | $64,461/yr |
| Nursing | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
79 | $56,923/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
79 | $45,662/yr |
| Nursing | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
78 | $59,181/yr |
| Nursing | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls |
78 | $58,487/yr |
| Nursing | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
78 | $56,562/yr |
| Nursing | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
77 | $65,268/yr |
| Nursing | Southeastern Community College West Burlington |
77 | $61,159/yr |
| Nursing | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City |
77 | $58,096/yr |
| Nursing | Southwestern Community College Creston |
76 | $63,505/yr |
| Nursing | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
76 | $62,453/yr |
| Nursing | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
76 | $58,835/yr |
| Nursing | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville |
75 | $61,157/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
74 | $34,390/yr |
| Health Administration | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
73 | $35,662/yr |
| Health Administration | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
72 | $36,716/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
71 | $33,043/yr |
| Health Administration | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
70 | $39,416/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
70 | $38,511/yr |
| Health Administration | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
70 | $31,546/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
70 | $29,348/yr |
| Nursing | Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines |
69 | $63,867/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
69 | $51,206/yr |
| Health Administration | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
69 | $32,126/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
68 | $45,688/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
68 | $43,254/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Southeastern Community College West Burlington |
66 | $60,712/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
66 | $59,746/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
66 | $57,921/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
66 | $56,681/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Southeastern Community College West Burlington |
66 | $36,202/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
66 | $34,317/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
65 | $64,917/yr |
| Medical Assisting | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City |
65 | $44,455/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
64 | $55,987/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
64 | $52,364/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
63 | $50,501/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
63 | $49,953/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
63 | $37,483/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
63 | $36,313/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
63 | $32,840/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
62 | $43,781/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
62 | $42,927/yr |
| Public Health | University of Iowa Iowa City |
62 | $41,503/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
62 | $39,614/yr |
| Health Administration | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
62 | $33,009/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
61 | $37,317/yr |
| Health Administration | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
61 | $31,441/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
61 | $30,884/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
60 | $36,939/yr |
| Health Administration | Ross College-Davenport Davenport |
60 | $28,570/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
59 | $47,585/yr |
| Health Administration | Orion Technical College Davenport |
59 | $30,351/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
58 | $34,244/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
57 | $43,991/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
57 | $32,834/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines |
56 | $55,912/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Ross College-Davenport Davenport |
56 | $31,888/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
56 | $30,735/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Orion Technical College Davenport |
54 | $32,377/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | St Luke's College Sioux City |
53 | $50,556/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
53 | $28,585/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Ross College-Davenport Davenport |
53 | $27,186/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
52 | $36,885/yr |
| Massage Therapy | PCI Academy-Ames Ames |
43 | $26,872/yr |
| Massage Therapy | PCI Academy-Iowa City Iowa City |
43 | $26,872/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Capri College-Davenport Davenport |
40 | $23,285/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Carlson College of Massage Therapy Anamosa |
40 | $22,764/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Capri College-Dubuque Dubuque |
38 | $18,176/yr |
Engineering & Technology (16 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Management | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
79 | $66,093/yr |
| Information Sciences | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
78 | $60,163/yr |
| Computer Programming | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
71 | $63,559/yr |
| Computer Networking | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
71 | $43,253/yr |
| IT Management | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
70 | $41,575/yr |
| Computer Networking | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
69 | $41,166/yr |
| Computer Networking | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
67 | $40,873/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
65 | $68,590/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
60 | $60,210/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
60 | $50,387/yr |
| Computer Programming | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
60 | $39,216/yr |
| Energy Systems Technology | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville |
58 | $60,039/yr |
| IT Management | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
58 | $23,745/yr |
| Quality Control & Safety Technology | Waldorf University Forest City |
54 | $65,381/yr |
| Drafting & Design Technology | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
51 | $44,886/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Orion Technical College Davenport |
49 | $51,641/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (6 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
74 | $54,209/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
74 | $49,572/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
74 | $43,547/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
71 | $39,121/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
70 | $42,555/yr |
| Fire Protection | Waldorf University Forest City |
62 | $76,032/yr |
Personal Services (18 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
65 | $49,355/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
65 | $26,913/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
59 | $24,061/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
58 | $21,391/yr |
| Cosmetology | Aveda Institute-Des Moines West Des Moines |
48 | $27,081/yr |
| Cosmetology | PCI Academy-Ames Ames |
46 | $24,178/yr |
| Cosmetology | PCI Academy-Iowa City Iowa City |
46 | $24,178/yr |
| Cosmetology | Capri College-Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids |
46 | $23,586/yr |
| Cosmetology | La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology Mason City |
45 | $23,313/yr |
| Cosmetology | Capri College-Davenport Davenport |
45 | $22,161/yr |
| Cosmetology | Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines Des Moines |
44 | $20,355/yr |
| Cosmetology | Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake Spirit Lake |
44 | $20,098/yr |
| Cosmetology | Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City Sioux City |
44 | $20,000/yr |
| Cosmetology | Capri College-Dubuque Dubuque |
43 | $19,651/yr |
| Cosmetology | La James International College-Davenport Davenport |
43 | $18,120/yr |
| Cosmetology | La James International College-Johnston Johnston |
43 | $17,464/yr |
| Cosmetology | SOHO Hair Academy Council Bluffs |
42 | $16,234/yr |
| Cosmetology | American Hair Academy Mt. Pleasant |
41 | $10,853/yr |
Business & Office (11 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business | University of Iowa Iowa City |
79 | $60,660/yr |
| Entrepreneurship | University of Iowa Iowa City |
77 | $46,878/yr |
| Accounting | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
72 | $47,400/yr |
| Business Administration | University of Iowa Iowa City |
72 | $34,012/yr |
| Business Administration | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
69 | $37,385/yr |
| Insurance | University of Iowa Iowa City |
68 | $62,250/yr |
| Business Administration | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
68 | $35,852/yr |
| Business Administration | Upper Iowa University Fayette |
67 | $46,039/yr |
| Business Administration | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
67 | $29,018/yr |
| Hospitality Management | University of Iowa Iowa City |
64 | $36,752/yr |
| Accounting | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
59 | $24,726/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
73 | $40,955/yr |
| Agricultural Business | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
70 | $47,472/yr |
| Agricultural Business | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
70 | $40,506/yr |
| Agricultural Mechanization | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
68 | $56,331/yr |
| Agricultural Business | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
66 | $40,835/yr |
| Horticulture | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
64 | $35,900/yr |
| Agricultural Production | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
62 | $38,924/yr |
| Agricultural Mechanization | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
61 | $54,829/yr |
| Agricultural Production | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
58 | $42,392/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
53 | $38,962/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
49 | $26,355/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
47 | $31,017/yr |
Arts & Design (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
47 | $32,116/yr |
| Design | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
44 | $25,265/yr |
Family & Consumer Sciences (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Studies | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
53 | $22,623/yr |
Other Programs (25 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
56 | $49,137/yr |
| Sustainability Studies | University of Iowa Iowa City |
51 | $34,699/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar |
49 | $29,491/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City |
47 | $31,936/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
47 | $31,453/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport |
46 | $27,697/yr |
| Ethnic & Cultural Studies | University of Iowa Iowa City |
45 | $34,216/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown |
45 | $29,836/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
44 | $30,321/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids |
44 | $29,838/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa |
44 | $27,483/yr |
| Social Work | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
44 | $25,197/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville |
43 | $31,966/yr |
| Rhetoric & Writing | University of Iowa Iowa City |
43 | $29,647/yr |
| Health & Physical Education | University of Iowa Iowa City |
43 | $24,195/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City |
42 | $27,433/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Southwestern Community College Creston |
41 | $28,706/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
41 | $28,291/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon |
41 | $27,677/yr |
| Community Organization | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny |
41 | $26,312/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Southeastern Community College West Burlington |
39 | $24,968/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge |
39 | $23,747/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls |
38 | $22,519/yr |
| Audio & Video Technology | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs |
35 | $24,428/yr |
| Graphic Communications | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo |
34 | $29,682/yr |
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Sources & Methodology
Program data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (first-year graduate earnings from IRS tax data). Wage and growth projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024) and Employment Projections 2024–2034. Apprenticeship data: U.S. Department of Labor RAPIDS database and the ApprenticeshipUSA sponsor directory.
Programs on this page are grouped by field of study — Skilled Trades listed first, followed by health sciences, business, and other categories. Click any program for detailed earnings projections and AI-risk analysis by career path.
Data sources cited above. Last updated 2026.