Answer: From what I heard, all you need to be a plumber in Iowa is a shovel and a keyhole saw (for the half-moon over the door). If you're in business for yourself, then you should make what you can make. If you work for someone else, then you'll have to fight for a fair wage. If its non-union, I'd guess a good journeyman in Iowa would probably make $20/hr out in the sticks. A lot has to do with how busy plumbing shops are in Iowa. If business is slow, wages are down. If business is up, you might be able to name your price. A lot also depends of if you're actually a good plumber or not. Bosses will pay top dollar for a top producer.