Commercial Pilot Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$137,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#9 of 48
4,120 employed here

How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Texas?

Commercial Pilots in Texas take home a median of $137,960 annually — roughly $66.33 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $123,220.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $68,460 while the top 10% make $259,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $101,090 and $196,400 a year.

Commercial Pilot salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$68,460$32.91
25th percentile (early career)$101,090$48.60
50th percentile (median)$137,960$66.33
75th percentile (experienced)$196,400$94.42
90th percentile (top earners)$259,990$125.00

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 9th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($137,960) 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 Texas?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Texas is $137,960 per year, or about $66.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,460 at the entry level to $259,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Commercial Pilots about 12% more than the national median of $123,220. Texas ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Yes on pay — Texas pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,960 a year. About 4,120 Commercial Pilots are employed in Texas. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Commercial Pilot salary report

Related salaries

Subway and Streetcar Operators

$86,380
median pay · 10,000 employed

Ship Engineer

$109,530
median pay · 8,000 employed

Transportation Inspector

$92,100
median pay · 25,000 employed

Air Traffic Controller

$148,080
median pay · 23,000 employed

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

$77,320
median pay · 4,000 employed

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

$78,000
median pay · 46,000 employed
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.