Commercial Pilot Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$104,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#31 of 48
1,130 employed here

How much does a Commercial Pilot make in Virginia?

A Commercial Pilot working in Virginia earns a median salary of $104,890 per year, or about $50.43 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $123,220 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $55,310 while the top 10% make $228,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,160 and $156,660 a year.

Commercial Pilot salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$55,310$26.59
25th percentile (early career)$80,160$38.54
50th percentile (median)$104,890$50.43
75th percentile (experienced)$156,660$75.32
90th percentile (top earners)$228,970$110.08

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 31st 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($104,890) 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 Virginia?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in Virginia is $104,890 per year, or about $50.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,310 at the entry level to $228,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Commercial Pilots about 15% less than the national median of $123,220. Virginia ranks 31st out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $104,890 a year. About 1,130 Commercial Pilots are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.