Electrician Salary

Davenport vs West Des Moines: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Davenport, IA and West Des Moines, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$78,581
$37.77/hr
West Des Moines, IA
$63,343
$30.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAWest Des Moines, IA
Median Salary$78,581$63,343
Hourly Rate$37.77$30.45
Entry Level (P10)$41,502$44,199
25th Percentile$52,714$48,781
75th Percentile$87,517$81,079
Top Earner (P90)$104,653$98,181
Total Employed1,45016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($78,581) and West Des Moines ($63,343) electrician salaries.DavenportWest Des MoinesMedian Salary$78,581$63,343Entry Level (P10)$41,502$44,199Top Earner (P90)$104,653$98,181US Median $64,530

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to West Des Moines.

The salary gap between Davenport and West Des Moines is $15,238 (24.06%). Davenport's median is +21.77% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $63,151,West Des Moines spans $53,982. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$41,502
P25$52,714
Median$78,581
P75$87,517
P90 (Top)$104,653
West Des Moines
P10 (Entry)$44,199
P25$48,781
Median$63,343
P75$81,079
P90 (Top)$98,181

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($88,215 effective) pays 25.90% more than West Des Moines ($70,070 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $78,581
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $88,215
West Des Moines
Nominal: $63,343
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $70,070

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,581/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,653)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,215)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose West Des Moines if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Davenport grew 36.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in West Des Moines over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+36.5%

$56,370 (2019) → $76,950 (2025)

West Des Moines, IA

+6.4%

$58,304 (2024) → $62,028 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Davenport or West Des Moines?

Davenport has a higher median electrician salary at $78,581/year, compared to West Des Moines at $63,343/year — a difference of $15,238 (24.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and West Des Moines?

Davenport electricians earn $37.77/hr while West Des Moines hygienists earn $30.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to West Des Moines as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and West Des Moines. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $88,215, West Des Moines = $70,070), job availability (1,450 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Davenport vs West Des Moines?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $41,502 in Davenport and $44,199 in West Des Moines. The West Des Moines area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov