Commercial Pilots pay in California
In California, the median pay for commercial pilots is $165,590 a year. About 4,900 people work in this job there.
That is 34% higher than the U.S. median ($123,220). California ranks 4th of 48 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for commercial pilots in California
| Earns more than | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $63,890 |
| 25% of workers | $85,020 |
| Half of workers (median) | $165,590 |
| 75% of workers | $278,940 |
| 90% of workers | $500,170 |
Commercial Pilots pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $274,730 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $173,070 | 380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $159,420 | 200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $149,200 | 60 |
| Modesto | $140,920 | 50 |
| Redding | $135,340 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $128,080 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $124,570 | 190 |
| Chico | $123,880 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $119,400 | 120 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $115,450 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $112,320 | 250 |
| Fresno | $112,000 | 80 |
| Salinas | $102,580 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $102,300 | 150 |
| Visalia | $75,600 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $86,100 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $110,090 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $160,080 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $83,000 |
| Airfield Operations Specialists | $62,600 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $77,070 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $69,950 |
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.