California Median
$165,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$79.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#4 of 48
4,900 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in California?
Commercial Pilots in California take home a median of $165,590 annually — roughly $79.61 an hour — which runs 34% above the national median of $123,220.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $63,890 while the top 10% make $500,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,020 and $278,940 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,890 | $30.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $85,020 | $40.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $165,590 | $79.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $278,940 | $134.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $500,170 | $240.47 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 48 states and territories for Commercial Pilot pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Commercial Pilot salary in other states
Connecticut $232,160New Jersey $226,710New York $177,430Delaware $163,600Ohio $150,330Georgia $145,100Colorado $139,680Texas $137,960Vermont $137,810Pennsylvania $134,030North Dakota $133,010Maryland $131,210Kentucky $129,990Wisconsin $129,860North Carolina $127,310Michigan $126,670Oklahoma $126,180Illinois $126,100Florida $121,890Oregon $120,760Washington $117,730Maine $117,560Tennessee $117,480Hawaii $113,030Idaho $109,620West Virginia $105,950South Carolina $105,740Kansas $105,440Nevada $105,340Virginia $104,890Nebraska $104,780Indiana $104,160Montana $103,690Mississippi $103,640Arizona $103,060Missouri $102,990Wyoming $102,990Iowa $101,800Alabama $101,420Alaska $100,120Utah $99,610Rhode Island $98,820Minnesota $98,630New Mexico $97,920Louisiana $95,940Arkansas $94,410South Dakota $83,710
Working as a Commercial Pilot in California
Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Commercial Pilots in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($165,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in California?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in California is $165,590 per year, or about $79.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,890 at the entry level to $500,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Commercial Pilots about 34% more than the national median of $123,220. California ranks 4th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $165,590 a year. About 4,900 Commercial Pilots are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Commercial Pilot salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.