Iowa Median
$101,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#39 of 48
300 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Iowa?
Commercial Pilots in Iowa take home a median of $101,800 annually — roughly $48.94 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $123,220.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $77,790 while the top 10% make $199,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,550 and $159,040 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 | $37.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $91,550 | $44.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,800 | $48.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $159,040 | $76.46 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,340 | $95.84 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 39th out of 48 states and territories for Commercial Pilot pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Commercial Pilot salary in other states
Connecticut $232,160New Jersey $226,710New York $177,430California $165,590Delaware $163,600Ohio $150,330Georgia $145,100Colorado $139,680Texas $137,960Vermont $137,810Pennsylvania $134,030North Dakota $133,010Maryland $131,210Kentucky $129,990Wisconsin $129,860North Carolina $127,310Michigan $126,670Oklahoma $126,180Illinois $126,100Florida $121,890Oregon $120,760Washington $117,730Maine $117,560Tennessee $117,480Hawaii $113,030Idaho $109,620West Virginia $105,950South Carolina $105,740Kansas $105,440Nevada $105,340Virginia $104,890Nebraska $104,780Indiana $104,160Montana $103,690Mississippi $103,640Arizona $103,060Missouri $102,990Wyoming $102,990Alabama $101,420Alaska $100,120Utah $99,610Rhode Island $98,820Minnesota $98,630New Mexico $97,920Louisiana $95,940Arkansas $94,410South Dakota $83,710
Working as a Commercial Pilot in Iowa
Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Commercial Pilots in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($101,800) 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 does a Commercial Pilot make in Iowa?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Iowa is $101,800 per year, or about $48.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,790 at the entry level to $199,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Commercial Pilots about 17% less than the national median of $123,220. Iowa ranks 39th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $101,800 a year. About 300 Commercial Pilots 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 Commercial Pilot 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.