Median Salary
$123,220
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$59.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$266,620
entry level starts ~$58,850
Pay Grade
A
excellent pay · 48,000 employed
How much does a Commercial Pilot make?
The median pay for a Commercial Pilot in the United States is $123,220 per year — about $59.24 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $58,850, while the most experienced Commercial Pilots in the top 10% earn $266,620.
That is $61,830 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Commercial Pilot salary range by percentile
Half of all Commercial Pilots earn between $84,540 and $190,440 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,850 | $28.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $84,540 | $40.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $123,220 | $59.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $190,440 | $91.56 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $266,620 | $128.18 |
|
Highest-paying states for Commercial Pilot
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Connecticut leads the country for Commercial Pilot pay at $232,160 a year, followed by New Jersey ($226,710) and New York ($177,430). At the other end, South Dakota posts the lowest median at $83,710 — a gap of $148,450 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Commercial Pilot salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 48 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $98,820Minnesota $98,630New Mexico $97,920Louisiana $95,940Arkansas $94,410South Dakota $83,710
Workforce and education
About 48,000 people work as Commercial Pilots in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $146,080 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in the United States?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in the United States is $123,220 per year, or about $59.24 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,850, while the top 10% of earners make $266,620 or more.
How does Commercial Pilot pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of A (excellent pay), the Commercial Pilot median of $123,220 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Commercial Pilots the most?
Connecticut is the highest-paying state for Commercial Pilots, with a median salary of $232,160 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Commercial Pilot?
Becoming a Commercial Pilot typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Commercial Pilots work in the United States?
About 48,000 people were employed as Commercial Pilots in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.