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Commercial Pilots Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Commercial Pilots in IA have a median annual salary of $101,800, with 300 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $77,790 at the 10th percentile to $199,340 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$101,800

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

—

Employment

300

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$77,790
10th
$91,550
25th
$101,800
Median
$159,040
75th
$199,340
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$101,800

Median annual · 2025

United States

$123,220

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 17.4% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $21,420).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 4.8
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 4.4
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 4.1
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  8. 8.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Active LearningImportance 3.6
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.6
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.3
  12. 12.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Aeronautical charts
  • AeroPlanner
  • Airdata
  • Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
  • AirSmith FlightPrompt
  • ArduPilot Mission Planner
  • Calibration software
  • CloudCompare
  • doXstor Flight Level Logbook
  • Electronic aircraft information databases
  • ESRI Site Scan for ArcGIS
  • Flight simulation software
  • FLIR Thermal Studio Suite
  • Kitty Hawk

Common tasks

  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
  • Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
  • Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Commercial Pilots salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA