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Piece Work Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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 · On-site

$16.25 - $18.50/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

Marketing.com

Inserter Operator

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$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

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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 17, 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 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 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 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 58% Full Time, and 42% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,651 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

3rd Shift Steel Shop Fabricator

PDM

Carlisle, IA • On-site

$19.50 - $24.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Reports to: Production Supervisor
Position Summary: Prep, fit, cut, drill and weld various structural steel assemblies to D1.1 and PDM quality tolerances.
Adhere to PDM's Core Values:
  • Relationship Building: We foster long-term positive relationships with fellow employee-owners, external partners and our communities.
  • Accountability: We consistently demonstrate a high level of personal accountability.
  • Urgency: We operate with a sense of urgency.
  • Innovation: We embrace growth and change.
  • Create Return on Efforts: We create positive results on all our efforts.
  • Pillars: 1) Safety, 2) Quality, 3) Happiness, 4) Performance

Responsibilities and Areas of Accountability:
  • Relationship Building: We foster long-term positive relationships with fellow employee-owners, external partners, and our communities.
  • Accountability: We consistently demonstrate a high level of personal accountability.
  • Urgency: We operate with a sense of urgency.
  • Innovation: We embrace growth and change.
  • Create Return on Efforts: We create positive results on all our efforts.
  • Learn & understand company safety policies and procedures and promote compliance.
  • Focus on increasing productivity and lowering material cost while maintaining expected levels of quality & communication with superiors.
  • Assist in the transformation of the shop floor culture to one of Continuous Improvement and Accountability.
  • Demonstrate reliability through exceptional attendance.
  • Embrace and enhance a positive culture.
  • Review and establish daily plans.
  • Monitor inventory and submit orders as needed.
  • Inspect and maintain tools, equipment and machinery.
  • Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
  • Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting as needed.
  • Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
  • Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
  • Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
  • Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
  • Measure, cut and bend rebar.
  • 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 equipment. Ability to read blueprints
  • Applicants must be able to walk and stand on feet for extended period of time, lift, push and pull up to 75 lbs, crawl on hands and knees, climb a ladder and be able to work long hours. This position works outdoors year-round and therefore subject to all weather conditions sometimes to include extreme cold and heat.

Education: 2 year trade school
Experience: 4 years of job experience
DISCLAIMER
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
PDM is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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