Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$131,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-43% vs US median
US median $232,140
State Rank
#33 of 37
100 employed here

How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in Iowa?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Iowa take home a median of $131,730 annually — roughly $63.33 an hour — which runs 43% below the national median of $232,140.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $64,100 while the top 10% make $201,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,570 and $168,510 a year.

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,100$30.82
25th percentile (early career)$86,570$41.62
50th percentile (median)$131,730$63.33
75th percentile (experienced)$168,510$81.01
90th percentile (top earners)$201,080$96.67

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 33rd out of 37 states and territories for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Georgia$618,090
2Idaho$507,640
3Michigan$428,570
4California$353,900
5Kentucky$350,950

Working as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Iowa

Nationally, about 104,000 people work as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($131,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in Iowa?
The median Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in Iowa is $131,730 per year, or about $63.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,100 at the entry level to $201,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers about 43% less than the national median of $232,140. Iowa ranks 33rd out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $131,730 a year. About 100 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.