Commercial Pilot salary in Iowa
Commercial Pilots in Iowa earn a median of $101,800 a year, based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,340 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $123,220. Iowa ranks 39th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.19 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $124,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 |
| 25th percentile | $91,550 |
| Median | $101,800 |
| 75th percentile | $159,040 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,340 |
| Average (mean) | $124,640 |
Half of commercial pilots earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,241.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,915.38 |
| Weekly | $1,957.69 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $121,490 | 130 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $110,210 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $90,790 | $43.65 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $131,730 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,580 | $15.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make in Iowa?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Iowa is $101,800 a year. Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Iowa?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Iowa earn at least $199,340 a year. The top 25% earn $159,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,790 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $91,550 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Iowa?
About 300 commercial pilots are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.