Commercial Pilot salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Commercial Pilots in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $121,490 a year, based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,390 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 19% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $101,800. There are 0.32 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $135,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,270 |
| 25th percentile | $95,630 |
| Median | $121,490 |
| 75th percentile | $162,920 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,390 |
| Average (mean) | $135,630 |
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 | $10,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,062.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,672.69 |
| Weekly | $2,336.35 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $121,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $160,990 | — |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $121,490 a year. Pay ranges from $81,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $206,390 a year. The top 25% earn $162,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,270 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $95,630 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 130 commercial pilots are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.