Tennessee Median
$117,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#24 of 48
1,030 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Tennessee?
Commercial Pilots in Tennessee take home a median of $117,480 annually — roughly $56.48 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $123,220.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $54,740 while the top 10% make $204,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,770 and $169,920 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,740 | $26.32 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $82,770 | $39.79 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $117,480 | $56.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $169,920 | $81.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,650 | $98.39 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 24th 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 $117,560Hawaii $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($117,480) 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 Tennessee?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Tennessee is $117,480 per year, or about $56.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,740 at the entry level to $204,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Commercial Pilots about 5% less than the national median of $123,220. Tennessee ranks 24th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $117,480 a year. About 1,030 Commercial Pilots are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.