How to Become a Merchant Marine Officer in Iowa: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median merchant marine officer salary in Iowa is $97,700 per year - 6% above the national median of $92,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s from a maritime academy (deck or engine license track).
Merchant Marine Officer Salary in Iowa
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Iowa entry level (10th percentile) | $46,220 |
| Iowa 25th-75th percentile | $62,190 - $105,670 |
| Iowa median | $97,700 |
| Iowa top earners (90th percentile) | $121,760 |
| U.S. median | $92,460 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 80.
The Iowa Job Market: Merchant Marine Officer
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Iowa | 80 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.05 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.21 |
| Mean annual wage in Iowa | $91,380 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.21, Iowa employs ship officers at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.
Requirements in Iowa
The education path is national - Bachelor’s from a maritime academy (deck or engine license track) - while licensing runs through Iowa’s own boards: USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with officer endorsement (required). Verify current requirements with the Iowa licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Merchant Marine Officer.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,420 |
| 25th | $63,880 |
| 50th (median) | $92,460 |
| 75th | $127,180 |
| 90th | $170,640 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 40,700 |
| 2034 projected | 40,900 |
| Percent change | +0.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a merchant marine officer make in Iowa?
The median annual wage for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Iowa is $97,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 6% above the national median of $92,460.
How do I become a merchant marine officer in Iowa?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's from a maritime academy (deck or engine license track) - with licensing administered at the state level: USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with officer endorsement (required). See the steps below.
How many ship officers work in Iowa?
BLS counts about 80 captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels employed in Iowa (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Merchant Marine Officer in Nearby States
- Merchant Marine Officer in Illinois
- Merchant Marine Officer in Indiana
- Merchant Marine Officer in Louisiana
- Merchant Marine Officer in Maine
Related
- How to Become a Merchant Marine Officer (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (SOC 53-5021), Iowa and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |