What this means Our calculation
13 of 18 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $77,320. Prices run 13% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.5%) and the population is growing slowly (+0.1% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Dubuque Government data
All 18 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $77,320 | +0% | $88,540 | 280 | #193 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $68,980 | +11% | $78,990 | 40 | #100 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,480 | +3% | $74,982 | 160 | #165 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $62,250 | +4% | $71,283 | 160 | #146 |
| Electrician | $62,110 | -1% | $71,123 | 210 | #202 |
| HVAC Technician | $61,410 | +3% | $70,321 | 130 | #146 |
| Plumber | $61,380 | -0% | $70,287 | 120 | #196 |
| Auto Mechanic | $61,030 | +25% | $69,886 | 290 | #29 |
| Carpenter | $60,090 | +7% | $68,810 | 260 | #140 |
| Machinist | $58,890 | +3% | $67,435 | 180 | #137 |
| Concrete Finisher | $58,400 | +2% | $66,874 | 110 | #151 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,630 | -5% | $65,993 | 170 | #280 |
| Welder | $56,100 | +7% | $64,241 | 330 | #126 |
| Maintenance Technician | $54,360 | +12% | $62,248 | 570 | #69 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $51,000 | -1% | $58,401 | 70 | #190 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,800 | +4% | $55,881 | 500 | #150 |
| Painter | $47,400 | -1% | $54,278 | 40 | #191 |
| Landscaper | $41,450 | +10% | $47,465 | 240 | #102 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Dubuque
The Dubuque area has about 43,702 homes. 59% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 13% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 75% of households own their home, and the median home value is $251,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Dubuque Government data
In an average year, Dubuque has 6 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 144 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 70 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 42 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 80°F and winter nights 14°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Dubuque Rgnl Airport, IA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Dubuque area's population grew 0.1% from 2020 to 2025 (99,311 → 99,381), ranking #292 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -194).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Dubuque are down 38% from 2021 to 2025 (537 → 334). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Dubuque area is 16 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 5% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 80% drive alone, 0% take transit and 10% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Iowa Official source
The main state licensing office in Iowa is the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Iowa licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 6.8% of wage and salary workers in Iowa were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#28 of 51 states and D.C.), and 8.2% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Iowa.