Iowa plumbing market report

Public-data snapshot · Updated 2026-06-21 · By J.D. Hartwell, editor

A snapshot of the plumbing market in Iowa: who's licensed, where they work, climate context, and what homeowners typically pay. All data from official US public sources cited below.

Licensed pros

4,830

BLS OES May 2023 - 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)

Households

1,308k

US Census ACS 2022

Climate zone

Cold

DOE/NOAA climate classification

Typical water heater install/replace

$1,350

National avg adjusted for Iowa cost-of-living

State overview

Iowa has approximately 1,308k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a cold climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 4,830 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 3.7 pros per 1,000 households.

Licensing

Plumbing pros in Iowa are typically regulated by the Iowa Department of Public Health Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board. Before hiring, verify the contractor's license number, that the license is active and in good standing, and that the licensee is bonded and insured to operate in Iowa. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.

Top 5 cities by listed pros

Cedar Rapids — 2 listed
Des Moines — 1 listed

Seasonal demand pattern

Peak demand Dec-Mar (frozen pipes); shoulder Apr-May for repipes.

Typical cost range in Iowa

Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Iowa cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Iowa runs around $1,350. See the full cost calculator suite for service-by-service ranges. Always get a written quote before committing to work.

Find a verified pro in Iowa

Browse our Iowa state hub or jump to a city: Cedar Rapids, Des Moines.

See all Iowa plumbing pros →

Data sources. Employment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023 (bls.gov/oes), occupation code 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Households: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022 1-year estimates (census.gov/acs). Climate zone: U.S. Department of Energy Building America Climate Zones (energy.gov) / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (noaa.gov). Licensing: Iowa Department of Public Health Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board. Cost ranges: HomeAdvisor 2024 True Cost Reports (homeadvisor.com), Angi 2024 cost guides (angi.com). All figures are estimates; verify before relying on for any decision.