Commercial Pilots pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for commercial pilots is $123,220 a year. About 47,630 people work in this job there.
Pay range for commercial pilots in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $58,850 |
| 25% of workers | $84,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $123,220 |
| 75% of workers | $190,440 |
| 90% of workers | $266,620 |
Best-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 | 670 |
| New York | $177,430 | 1,070 |
| California | $165,590 | 4,900 |
| Delaware | $163,600 | 220 |
| Ohio | $150,330 | 2,680 |
| Georgia | $145,100 | 1,020 |
| Colorado | $139,680 | 1,240 |
| Texas | $137,960 | 4,120 |
| Vermont | $137,810 | 40 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $101,420
- Alaska · $100,120
- Arizona · $103,060
- California · $165,590
- Colorado · $139,680
- Florida · $121,890
- Georgia · $145,100
- Illinois · $126,100
- Indiana · $104,160
- Kansas · $105,440
- Kentucky · $129,990
- Louisiana · $95,940
- Michigan · $126,670
- Minnesota · $98,630
- Missouri · $102,990
- Nevada · $105,340
- New Jersey · $226,710
- New York · $177,430
- North Carolina · $127,310
- Ohio · $150,330
- Oklahoma · $126,180
- Oregon · $120,760
- Pennsylvania · $134,030
- Tennessee · $117,480
- Texas · $137,960
- Utah · $99,610
- Virginia · $104,890
- Washington · $117,730
- Wisconsin · $129,860
Education, experience and outlook for commercial pilots
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 5,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $79,870 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,140 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,000 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $81,410 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $92,100 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $148,080 |
| Avionics Technicians | $82,280 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.