FairangeCarpentry · IA
Carpentry costs in Iowa City, IA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Iowa City Carpentry slice of OEWS May 2025. Mean hourly pay here sits about 18% below the national OEWS mean.
On the national Carpentry wage ladder (526 areas), Iowa City, IA sits at #306 with a $26.00 mean. Compared with other IA areas that report Carpentry wages, this market is #9 of 12. The published p10–p90 band runs $17.82 to $34.56 (a $16.74 spread around the $26.00 mean; median $23.89).
OEWS counts about 360 Carpenters jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 670,090. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Hardwood Flooring Installation mid estimate $3,420 here vs $3,906 U.S. (12% below); Window Replacement (vinyl double-hung) mid estimate $487 here vs $533 U.S. (9% below); Entry Door Replacement mid estimate $886 here vs $976 U.S. (9% below).
Same-state comparison: Sioux City ($25.71, 0.29 lower); Ames ($26.47, 0.47 higher); Waterloo-Cedar Falls ($27.30, 1.30 higher).
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood Flooring Installation (default size) | $1,732 | $3,420 | $7,229 |
| Window Replacement (vinyl double-hung) | $285 | $487 | $967 |
| Entry Door Replacement | $435 | $886 | $2,032 |
| Wood Deck Build (default size) | $2,627 | $5,651 | $12,644 |
| Deck Board / Rail Repair | $165 | $439 | $1,167 |
| Baseboard Installation (default size) | $161 | $378 | $886 |
| Interior Door Installation | $131 | $302 | $686 |
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Carpenter (47-2031) | $26.00/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Iowa City, IA Carpentry. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
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A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.
Partner options Affiliate linkTank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.
Partner options Affiliate linkRead the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.
Partner options Affiliate linkMonthly wage & cost note
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