Commercial Pilot Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Commercial Pilots in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$129,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#14 of 48
800 employed here

How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Kentucky?

A Commercial Pilot working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $129,990 per year, or about $62.50 per hour. That is 5% above the national median of $123,220 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $83,130 while the top 10% make $355,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,570 and $193,940 a year.

Commercial Pilot salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,130$39.97
25th percentile (early career)$91,570$44.02
50th percentile (median)$129,990$62.50
75th percentile (experienced)$193,940$93.24
90th percentile (top earners)$355,390$170.86

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 14th out of 48 states and territories for Commercial Pilot pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Connecticut$232,160
2New Jersey$226,710
3New York$177,430
4California$165,590
5Delaware$163,600

Working as a Commercial Pilot in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($129,990) 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 Kentucky?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Kentucky is $129,990 per year, or about $62.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,130 at the entry level to $355,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Commercial Pilots about 5% more than the national median of $123,220. Kentucky ranks 14th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $129,990 a year. About 800 Commercial Pilots are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.