Commercial Pilot Salary
Commercial Pilots earn a median $123,220 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$123,220
$59.24 per hour
Range
$58,850 – $239,200+
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
47,630
across the U.S.
▲0.4%
Pay trend: The median for commercial pilots in the U.S. rose from $122,670 (May 2024) to $123,220 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.0%.
What commercial pilots do
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 5,200
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of commercial pilots is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Commercial Pilot take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$95,487
per year · effective tax rate 22.5%
$7,957Monthly
$3,979Twice a month
$3,673Every 2 weeks
$45.91Hourly
- Federal income tax$18,307
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,640
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,787
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$95,487
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,850 | $28.29 | $49,466 |
| 25th percentile | $84,540 | $40.64 | $68,304 |
| Median (50th) | $123,220 | $59.24 | $95,487 |
| 75th percentile | $190,440 | $91.56 | $141,800 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $266,620+ | $128.18 | $194,093 |
Best cities for commercial pilots (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami, FL | $127,360 | $98,317 | $86,125 | 3,440 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Miami, FL — $127,360
Commercial Pilot salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 | +2.2% | $159,605 | $86,840 – $239,200+ | 460 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 | — | $155,641 | $52,560 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| New York | $177,430 | +2.9% | $123,111 | $63,080 – $239,200+ | 1,070 |
| California | $165,590 | +35.6% | $111,124 | $63,890 – $239,200+ | 4,900 |
| Delaware | $163,600 | +5.1% | $113,630 | $83,180 – $239,200+ | 220 |
| Ohio | $150,330 | +29.5% | $110,665 | $60,300 – $219,140 | 2,680 |
| Georgia | $145,100 | +4.1% | $103,534 | $53,010 – $239,200+ | 1,020 |
| Colorado | $139,680 | +13.8% | $101,300 | $59,780 – $239,200+ | 1,240 |
| Texas | $137,960 | −15.3% | $105,562 | $68,460 – $239,200+ | 4,120 |
| Vermont | $137,810 | +44.1% | $98,772 | $56,820 – $233,150 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,030 | +3.5% | $98,761 | $74,610 – $239,200+ | 530 |
| North Dakota | $133,010 | +19.7% | $100,844 | $65,630 – $237,050 | 370 |
| Maryland | $131,210 | +0.5% | $95,018 | $58,070 – $229,430 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $129,990 | +28.3% | $95,682 | $83,130 – $239,200+ | 800 |
| Wisconsin | $129,860 | +25.7% | $94,523 | $66,390 – $239,200+ | 1,090 |
| North Carolina | $127,310 | +0.4% | $93,711 | $61,050 – $239,200+ | 1,520 |
| Michigan | $126,670 | −3.0% | $92,712 | $58,280 – $205,900 | 1,390 |
| Oklahoma | $126,180 | +16.6% | $92,377 | $75,880 – $220,610 | 540 |
| Illinois | $126,100 | +19.8% | $91,358 | $51,890 – $239,200+ | 1,170 |
| Florida | $121,890 | −6.6% | $94,578 | $62,590 – $229,110 | 6,340 |
| Oregon | $120,760 | +7.2% | $84,048 | $50,960 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| Washington | $117,730 | −4.7% | $91,653 | $70,420 – $239,200+ | 890 |
| Maine | $117,560 | −12.9% | $84,624 | $73,310 – $239,200+ | 100 |
| Tennessee | $117,480 | −1.6% | $91,477 | $54,740 – $204,650 | 1,030 |
| Hawaii | $113,030 | +10.4% | $81,286 | $58,470 – $214,630 | 350 |
| Idaho | $109,620 | +6.3% | $81,246 | $64,300 – $209,320 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $105,950 | +3.2% | $79,194 | $64,450 – $174,170 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $105,740 | −11.7% | $78,031 | $49,720 – $164,920 | 290 |
| Kansas | $105,440 | +2.0% | $77,923 | $49,060 – $175,820 | 680 |
| Nevada | $105,340 | −20.5% | $82,937 | $51,350 – $211,260 | 1,100 |
| Virginia | $104,890 | −9.2% | $77,403 | $55,310 – $228,970 | 1,130 |
| Nebraska | $104,780 | +4.6% | $78,655 | $53,710 – $167,450 | 290 |
| Indiana | $104,160 | +7.7% | $79,063 | $63,250 – $221,260 | 960 |
| Montana | $103,690 | +0.6% | $77,278 | $73,440 – $226,770 | 330 |
| Mississippi | $103,640 | +3.7% | $78,327 | $71,050 – $215,010 | 240 |
| Arizona | $103,060 | +0.8% | $78,965 | $64,290 – $201,660 | 1,540 |
| Missouri | $102,990 | −17.0% | $77,380 | $50,790 – $212,000 | 670 |
| Wyoming | $102,990 | −18.6% | $81,283 | $59,990 – $140,320 | 190 |
| Iowa | $101,800 | +0.8% | $77,230 | $77,790 – $199,340 | 300 |
| Alabama | $101,420 | −5.1% | $75,373 | $57,030 – $163,100 | 780 |
| Alaska | $100,120 | −9.7% | $79,264 | $49,610 – $163,410 | 1,000 |
| Utah | $99,610 | −1.5% | $75,389 | $60,060 – $175,000 | 540 |
| Rhode Island | $98,820 | −2.5% | $75,258 | $51,360 – $239,200+ | 80 |
| Minnesota | $98,630 | −16.4% | $73,033 | $42,670 – $239,200+ | 910 |
| New Mexico | $97,920 | +15.0% | $74,250 | $34,680 – $219,010 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $95,940 | −20.5% | $73,832 | $46,990 – $169,410 | 910 |
| Arkansas | $94,410 | +12.2% | $71,778 | $43,290 – $171,500 | 460 |
| South Dakota | $83,710 | +10.5% | $67,720 | $51,590 – $157,840 | 320 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | Associate's degree | +1.7% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $56,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.8% |
| Ship Engineer | $109,530 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.7% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make?
The national median salary for commercial pilots is $123,220 a year ($59.24 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,850 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays commercial pilots the most?
Connecticut has the highest median pay at $232,160. After taxes and local prices, Miami, FL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many commercial pilots are there in the U.S.?
About 47,630 people work as commercial pilots nationwide.