Job Salary Guide · 2026
Airline Pilot Salary After Tax in Des Moines
Based on BLS OEWS data · IA · Single filer
Airline Pilot Salary Range
25th Percentile
$108,000
Take-home:
$80,260
$6,688/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$174,000
Take-home:
$123,070
$10,256/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$250,000
Take-home:
$173,244
$14,437/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $174,000
Cost of Living in Des Moines
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,100/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,380/mo
COL Index
0.93
Comfortable Rent Max
$2,564/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $10,256 ($123,072/yr)
$5,128
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$3,077
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$2,051
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$61,536
Wants / year
$36,922
Savings / year
$24,614
Airline Pilot Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Airline Pilot salary in Des Moines?
The median Airline Pilot salary in Des Moines (IA) is $174,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $108,000 and the 75th percentile is $250,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Airline Pilot in Des Moines?
At the median salary of $174,000, a Airline Pilot in IA takes home approximately $123,070 per year ($10,256/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 29.27%.
Can a Airline Pilot afford rent in Des Moines?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines is $1,100/month. On the median Airline Pilot salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 10.7%, which is "Comfortable". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($2,564/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Airline Pilot salaries in Des Moines?
Des Moines has a cost-of-living index of 0.93 (1.00 = national average). Des Moines is 7% cheaper than the US average, so the Airline Pilot salary goes further here than in high-cost metros.