ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Piece Work Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Invio Automation

Machinist

Eldridge, IA

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Position and secure work pieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices * Move machine controls to lower tools to work pieces and to engage automatic feeds * Turn valves ...

Invio Automation

Machinist

Eldridge, IA · On-site

$16.50 - $22.75/hr

Position and secure work pieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices * Move machine controls to lower tools to work pieces and to engage automatic feeds * Turn valves ...

PDM

3rd Shift Steel Shop Fabricator

Carlisle, IA · On-site

$19.50 - $24.25/hr

Examine work pieces and defects and measure work pieces to ensure conformance with specifications. Requirements Knowledge & Skills: * Maintain and operate cutting torches, stick and wire welding ...

PDM

3rd Shift Steel Shop Fabricator

Carlisle, IA · On-site

$19.50 - $24.25/hr

Examine work pieces and defects and measure work pieces to ensure conformance with specifications. Requirements Knowledge & Skills: * Maintain and operate cutting torches, stick and wire welding ...

Marketing.com

Inserter Operator

Des Moines, IA

$16 - $17/hr

The inserter operator must record any damaged documents or mail pieces that will require reprinting ... Comply with work and safety rules * Other duties as assigned

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPiece Work JobsPiece Work Jobs in Iowa

Piece Work information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$17

$33

How much do piece work jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for piece work in Iowa is $17.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.03 and $18.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is piece work?

Piece work is when an employer pays a worker a fixed-rate per completion of duties rather than an hourly rate. This method is commonly used for those who work at home, such as with freelance writers. Rather than documenting time worked, a previously agreed upon payment is received when the contracted writing is delivered. In some manufacturing factories, workers assemble a product and must meet a quota while getting paid per finished unit. This method of payment encourages efficient production and time management by the worker.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working on a piece work basis, and how can they be managed?

One common challenge for piece work employees is maintaining consistent income, as pay is directly tied to output, which can fluctuate due to changes in workload or process efficiency. Additionally, piece workers may experience physical fatigue or repetitive strain, especially in production or manual labor settings. To manage these challenges, it's important to develop efficient work habits, take regular breaks, and communicate with supervisors about workflow or ergonomic concerns. Many organizations also encourage collaboration among piece workers to share best practices and support each other's productivity.

What is piece work?

Piece work is a type of employment where workers are paid based on the number of units or pieces they produce, rather than receiving an hourly wage or a fixed salary. This payment method is common in industries such as manufacturing, textiles, and agriculture. The more pieces an employee completes, the more they earn, which can incentivize higher productivity. However, it's important for employers to ensure that piece rates comply with minimum wage laws and fair labor standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in piece work, and why are they important?

To thrive in piece work, you need manual dexterity, attention to detail, and the ability to consistently meet quality and quantity targets, often without formal qualifications. Familiarity with relevant machinery, production tools, or time-tracking systems is typically required depending on the industry. Self-motivation, time management, and reliability are critical soft skills for maintaining productivity and meeting deadlines. These abilities are essential because they directly impact earnings, job security, and the efficiency of the overall production process.

What is the difference between Piece Work vs Assembly Line Worker?

AspectPiece WorkAssembly Line Worker
Work CompensationPaid based on the quantity of items producedPaid hourly or salary, with fixed wages
Work EnvironmentOften independent or in small workshopsFactory or manufacturing plant
Required Skills/CertificationsBasic skills, sometimes specialized for certain productsBasic manufacturing skills, safety training
Work PaceVariable, depends on individual productivitySet pace dictated by the assembly line

Piece Work involves earning pay based on the number of items produced, offering flexibility but variable income. Assembly Line Workers are paid hourly or salary, working in structured factory environments with a consistent work pace. Both roles are common in manufacturing but differ significantly in compensation and work setting.

More about Piece Work jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Piece Work jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Piece Work jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Piece Work jobs in Iowa? For Piece Work jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Piece Work jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Piece Work jobs in Iowa are:
Piece Work jobs near you
Infographic showing various Piece Work job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,651 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Combo Welder (Clinton,Iowa) Austin Industrial

Austin Bridge & Raod, LP

Clinton, IA • On-site

$24.50 - $32/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Austin Industries rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 80 rated construction

Job description

About Austin Industrial

Austin Industrial delivers premier maintenance, construction, and soft craft services to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries. Our team of 4,000 employee-owners, equipped with innovative technology and optimized procedures, helps owners optimize safety, productivity, profit margins, and cost-efficiency.

Welder - Combination

This person must be able to join metal parts, such as pipe or metal plates as specified by layout, blueprints, work orders, welding procedures or oral instructions through the application of heat or electric arc-welding equipment. Other duties may be assigned.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Uses spot welding gun or hand, electric, or gas welding equipment to weld or tack weld pieces together.
  • Unites pipes from torch to tanks of oxygen and fuel gas and turns valves to release mixture.
  • Reaching expected temperature, size, and color of flame by burning torch and adjusting flow of gas and air.
  • Preheats work pieces for the preparation of welding or curving, using torch.
  • Fills holes or corrects mistakes in lead pieces and makes bulges thin and curves in metal work pieces.
  • Checks the weakness of work pieces and measures work pieces with straightedge or template to ensure the piece meets specifications.
  • Climbs up ladders or works on scaffolds to take apart textures.
  • Gives signal to crane operator to lift large work pieces.
  • Uses thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torch or plasma-arc equipment to dismount metal assemblies or cut scrap metal.
  • Uses hoist, crane, wire and banding machine, or hand tools to place and protect work pieces.
  • In order to protect the torch chooses place of weld based on type, thickness, area, and expected temperature of metal.
  • Instructs and brings flame or electrodes on or across work piece to straighten, curve, dissolve, or develop metal.
  • Joins pieces together, covers up taut points, and adds metal to develop parts.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

 

Qualifications Required for this Position:

Education: – no minimum education requirements.

Certifications/ Licenses:  DL

Experience: – 3-5 years of Journeyman level experience.

Austin Industrial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English and Spanish.

 

No Third-Party Inquiries Please

  • This Company does not accept and will not consider unsolicited resumes or any other unsolicited candidate information submitted to the Company or any of its employee-owners by staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters in response to a posted vacancy. The Company will not pay any placement fee(s) without a written agreement to do so (e., payment must be required pursuant to the terms of a written agreement). 

Accessibility Note

  • If you are a job seeker with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Teamat (877) 831-1217.

What Austin Industries employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply