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Contract Pilot Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Cambrex

Pilot Plant Operator

Charles City, IA · On-site

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as ...

Cambrex

Pilot Plant Operator

Charles City, IA

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as ...

Cambrex

Pilot Plant Operator

Charles City, IA · On-site

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as ...

Robert Half

Customer Service Representative

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$18.05 - $20.90/hr

In this contract role, you'll help members and policyholders by answering questions related to life ... engineers, pilots, and service members. * Maintain accuracy, quality standards, and excellent ...

New

TMS

OBS Manager

Bloomfield, IA · On-site

$4.8K - $4.8K/wk

Job Summary OBS Manager $4896Weekly Full-time, Part-time, Contract In-Office | Dubuque, IA, United ... Manage on-site client engagements, including meetings, trials, and pilot programs. * Identify and ...

Varsity Tutors

FAA Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... human factors for pilot certification. Ability to explain principles of flight, airspace ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

FAA Tutor

Iowa City, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... human factors for pilot certification. Ability to explain principles of flight, airspace ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care

Be Seen First

Nurse Practitioner

Fort Dodge, IA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Participate in process improvement, pilot innovation, and evolve our delivery model. Required ... Status: Full-time, Contract - Pay starts at $100k and is negotiable. Work Location: In person ...

Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care

Be Seen First

Nurse Practitioner

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Participate in process improvement, pilot innovation, and evolve our delivery model. Required ... Status: Full-time, Contract Work Location: In person Benefits: * 401(k) & 401(k) matching * STD ...

TELESOFT LLC DBA CALERO

Senior Product Owner

Waverly, IA · On-site

$80K - $93K/yr

Deeply understand "Jobs To Be Done" in contract management, pricing, usage, and allocations ... Lead customer workshops, proof-of-concepts, and pilot programs to capture feedback early. * Provide ...

Cambrex

Senior Process Engineer

Charles City, IA · On-site

$94K - $121K/yr

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that ... pilot batches to full commercialization. Oversee the conceptual process design for complete API ...

Varsity Tutors

AFOQT Tutor

Iowa City, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Emphasizes targeting the pilot and navigator composite scores through focused preparation on ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Cambrex

Senior Process Engineer

Charles City, IA

$94K - $121K/yr

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that ... pilot batches to full commercialization. Oversee the conceptual process design for complete API ...

Cambrex

Senior Process Engineer

Charles City, IA · On-site

$94K - $121K/yr

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that ... initial pilot batches to full commercialization. • Oversee the conceptual process design for ...

Varsity Tutors

AFOQT Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Emphasizes targeting the pilot and navigator composite scores through focused preparation on ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Cambrex

Production Engineer

Charles City, IA · On-site

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that ... piloting and/or commercial production. Responsibilities: * Writing batch records and cleaning ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Pilot JobsContract Pilot Jobs in Iowa

Contract Pilot information

See Iowa salary details

$46.5K

$123K

$188.8K

How much do contract pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract pilot in Iowa is $122,965.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,900.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Contract Pilot Do?

A contract pilot is an aviation professional who operates helicopters, charter planes, or another aircraft on a per-job basis. As a contract pilot, you work directly with corporate or individual clients to fly an aircraft between locations and transport passengers or cargo. Your contract may be for a single trip or multiple trips. However, you operate as an independent contractor, so you are responsible for maintaining your credentials and insurance. Working as a contract pilot provides you with greater flexibility than being a pilot for an airline or the military.

What are some common challenges faced by contract pilots when adapting to different aircraft and client expectations?

Contract pilots often fly a variety of aircraft types for different clients, which can require quick adaptation to new cockpit layouts, avionics systems, and company-specific procedures. Additionally, each client may have unique operational standards and expectations regarding communication, scheduling, and reporting. Staying organized, maintaining up-to-date certifications, and being proactive in learning new processes are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Strong interpersonal skills also help contract pilots integrate smoothly with new crews and flight departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Pilot, you need extensive flight experience, an active commercial or airline transport pilot license (CPL/ATPL), and current medical certification. Familiarity with specific aircraft types, proficiency in using advanced avionics systems, and completion of required type ratings are typically necessary. Strong decision-making, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you manage diverse flying environments and coordinate with clients and crews. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable service in varied and dynamic aviation assignments.

What are contract pilots?

Contract pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees of an airline or company. They typically operate private jets, corporate aircraft, or charter flights for individuals or organizations that need flight services for a limited period. Contract pilots are responsible for pre-flight planning, operating the aircraft safely, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and sometimes handling administrative tasks related to each flight. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet their scheduling and operational needs without long-term commitments.

What is the difference between Contract Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentHired on a temporary basis for specific contracts, often freelanceEmployed by airlines, charter companies, or corporate operators
Employer & Industry UsageContract basis across various operators, including private and cargoFull-time or part-time employment within commercial aviation

Contract pilots typically hold a commercial pilot certificate and work on a temporary or project basis, often flying for multiple operators. Commercial pilots are usually employed full-time by airlines or companies, with a focus on scheduled or charter flights. The main difference lies in employment type and job stability, with contract pilots offering flexibility and diverse opportunities, while commercial pilots often have more consistent employment within the commercial aviation industry.

More about Contract Pilot jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Pilot jobs in Iowa? For Contract Pilot jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Pilot jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Pilot jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Contract Pilot jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Contract Pilot job openings:
Contract Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Pilot job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,965 per year, or $59.1 per hour.
Harbor Boat Pilot

Harbor Boat Pilot

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.

Burlington, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

J.F. Brennan rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Brennan Marine Inc. (Brennan) is part of a 100-year-old, family-owned company headquartered out of La Crosse, WI. We provide inland harbor services for utility companies, dry bulk terminals, and specialty large bulk shippers along the Upper Mississippi River. We are a dependable barge transportation resource for the safe and efficient transport of grain, salt, coal, cement, fertilizer, pig iron, asphalt, oversized mechanical components, and more. We offer our employees growth through challenging opportunities, empowerment, and meaningful work.
We are known as an industry leader in providing well-coordinated, logistically efficient services to both our terminal clients and line haul carriers. We're unwavering, fast learners, and experts in our fields.
Are you an accomplished Pilot, who can apply your skills, knowledge, and passion as a leader on our Brennan Marine team?
As a Pilot at Brennan, you are a key member in our organization. You ensure vessels are crewed, operated, and maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and customer expectations along the Mississippi River. You are an essential worker at Brennan and in the US. Economy.
What are your responsibilities as a Pilot on the Brennan Marine team?
  • Responsible for tow makeup/breakup, barge fleeting, barge shifting, marine plant operations and any/all other vessel assistance required.
  • Coordination scheduled work in switching and fleeting dept. and insuring the completion in a safe, timely, and efficient manner
  • Accurate completion of the Daily Vessel Logs and any other logs or records in accordance with policy
  • Responsible for crew's safety meetings, guidelines and safety training, drills, materials and policy
  • Lead, collaborate, and direct vessel crew activities
  • Ensure that all work complies with all government rules and regulations as required by the Coast Guard, State and Federal environmental regulations, OSHA regulations and AWO RCP
  • Actively promote "The Brennan Way" in all interactions both internally and externally

Do you have what it takes to safely move cargo and lead a vessel crew?
  • Licensed Master of Towing Vessels Western Rivers is required
  • 3 years' work in the field in a department related to harbor services work
  • Knowledge of General navigation procedures, navigation rules, sound and light signals, tug lights and shapes, barge running lights, reports of boarding, uninspected towing vessel, AWO RCP to operate the vessels in a safe and efficient manner
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Effective at adapting to changing workplans

Compensation and Benefits
We provide a generous, industry-leading benefits package. The protection of our employees and families is important to us, we are proud to offer a group health insurance plan that is designed with our teams needs in mind.
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance plans
  • Optional accident, cancer, and critical illness insurance
  • 401(k) program with generous matching
  • Annual bonus eligibility
  • Annual profit-sharing program
  • Paid vacation, time off
  • ID protection
  • Fitness plan reimbursement

Why choose us?
  • You will get to work for a company voted by our employees as a Great Place to Work®, for the fourth year in a row.
  • Our focus on safety and quality is unmatched in the industry, and our ability to innovate has enabled us to exceed.
  • They key to our success is our people! From personal development, to teamwork and collaboration, we strive to promote individual growth and advancement.
  • We are a family-focused company and are determined to provide a rewarding career that offers above average compensation.

If you want a career where you will work hard, have opportunities for advancement, and do things every day that others only dream about then we want you.
Brennan Marine, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Notice to Staffing Agencies
J.F. Brennan Company Inc. ("Brennan") and its subsidiaries will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Brennan, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Brennan mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Brennan employees, or to Brennan's resume database will be considered Brennan property. Brennan will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Brennan will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Brennan's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Brennan will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such an agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Brennan's Chief Human Resources Officer or his/her designee. No other Brennan employee is authorized to bind Brennan to any agreement regarding the placement of candidate by Agencies.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Capital at:
Phone: 608-784-7173
Email: jobs@jfbrennan.com
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.
If you want to view the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster and/or view the Pay Transparency Policy State please click here.
For more information on federal labor laws please click here.

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