SalaryNode

Average Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The average salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $209,720. While this is lower than the national average, the cost of living in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA may offset the difference, preserving real purchasing power.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $209,720 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.7% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $314,580.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 50 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$209,720

The average Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns-26.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$100.8

Weekly

$4,033

Monthly

$17,477

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The earning potential for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 5.6x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $55,850, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $314,580.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$55,850$26.9
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$157,290$75.6
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$222,700$107.1
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$262,150$126
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$314,580$151.2

Detailed Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$209,720

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$209,720

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $209,720 to $209,720.

Job Market Context

50

Total Jobs

0.13

Per 1K Jobs

0.2

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.20x, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has a notably lower concentration of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

50 people work as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.

Only 0.13 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median annual salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $209,720. This typically ranges from $55,850 for entry-level positions to $314,580 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 26.4% lower than the national median of $285,030.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss?

It depends on your priorities. While the average Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $209,720 (below the national average), the area may offer a lower cost of living or other lifestyle benefits typical of Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 50 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 0.13 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.