Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in Ames, IA
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $63,820 a year ($30.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $63,800. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $63,890. There are 2.9 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| 25th percentile | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Median | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| 75th percentile | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,500 | $46.87 |
| Average (mean) | $66,390 | $31.92 |
Half of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,659.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,454.62 |
| Weekly | $1,227.31 |
| Hourly | $30.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $83,210 | 780 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $76,310 | 680 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,040 | 2,150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,400 | 2,430 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,200 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,380 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,350 | 190 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,890 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 |
| Illinois | $99,950 |
| Oregon | $97,050 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 |
| Alaska | $93,920 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 |
| Washington | $81,030 |
| Michigan | $80,190 |
| Montana | $79,960 |
See Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Carpenter | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Electrician | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,230 | $27.99 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $79,740 | $38.34 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2152. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the Ames, IA metro area is $63,820 a year, or $30.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $97,500 a year. The top 25% earn $77,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,670 a year, and a quarter of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $50,490 or less.
How many plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in Ames, IA?
About 160 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.