Commercial Pilots Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Commercial Pilots in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $141,330 a year. The range runs from $92K at the entry level to $182K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $154,122 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 15.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $141K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About commercial pilots
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $92K. Mid-career wages sit at $141K.Top earners bring in $182K or more - a $90K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $227K | +85% | 360 |
| New York | $173K | +41% | 1,070 |
| Texas | $163K | +33% | 5,030 |
| Delaware | $156K | +27% | 100 |
| Georgia | $139K | +14% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $137K | +12% | 300 |
| Maine | $135K | +10% | 110 |
| Nevada | $132K | +8% | 1,590 |
| Michigan | $131K | +6% | 1,400 |
| Florida | $131K | +6% | 6,100 |
| Maryland | $131K | +6% | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $130K | +6% | 740 |
| North Carolina | $127K | +3% | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $127K | +3% | 150 |
| Missouri | $124K | +1% | 810 |
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial pilots make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $141,330 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $92,220, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $182,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $141K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,310/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a commercial pilots salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial pilots salary is worth about $154,122 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial pilots get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.