Illinois Median
$126,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#19 of 48
1,170 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Illinois?
Commercial Pilots in Illinois take home a median of $126,100 annually — roughly $60.63 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $123,220.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $51,890 while the top 10% make $376,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,370 and $200,440 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,370 | $30.95 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,100 | $60.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $200,440 | $96.37 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $376,830 | $181.17 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 19th 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 $177,430California $165,590Delaware $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 $126,180Florida $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($126,100) 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 Illinois?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Illinois is $126,100 per year, or about $60.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,890 at the entry level to $376,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Commercial Pilots about 2% more than the national median of $123,220. Illinois ranks 19th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $126,100 a year. About 1,170 Commercial Pilots are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.