Minnesota Median
$98,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#44 of 48
910 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Minnesota?
Commercial Pilots in Minnesota take home a median of $98,630 annually — roughly $47.42 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $123,220.
Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $42,670 while the top 10% make $261,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,610 and $164,150 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in Minnesota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,670 | $20.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,610 | $29.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $98,630 | $47.42 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $164,150 | $78.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $261,800 | $125.87 |
|
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota ranks 44th 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 $126,180Illinois $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 $98,820New Mexico $97,920Louisiana $95,940Arkansas $94,410South Dakota $83,710
Working as a Commercial Pilot in Minnesota
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 Minnesota pay ($98,630) 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 Minnesota?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Minnesota is $98,630 per year, or about $47.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,670 at the entry level to $261,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Commercial Pilots about 20% less than the national median of $123,220. Minnesota ranks 44th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $98,630 a year. About 910 Commercial Pilots are employed in Minnesota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), 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.