SOC 532012

Commercial Pilots

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots. Excludes "Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians" (17-3024).

National Median

$122,670

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$122,670

Entry Level (10th pct)

$59,330

Experienced (90th pct)

N/A

Total Employed

51,830

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$59,330 - $81,660
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$81,660 - $175,050
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$175,050 - N/A

Highest Paying Locations for Commercial Pilots

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

$227,140

+85.2% vs national

Connecticut

$227,140

+85.2% vs national

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

$224,840

+83.3% vs national

Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

$189,090

+54.1% vs national

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

$188,920

+54.0% vs national

Commercial Pilots Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$227,140	80
Connecticut	$227,140	360
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$224,840	1,270
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$189,090	100
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$188,920	2,480
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	$180,790	90
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$177,300	2,110
New York	$172,500	1,070
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$170,000	530
Lexington Park, MD	$168,470	90
Knoxville, TN	$167,740	110
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$167,210	950
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$163,810	100
Richmond, VA	$163,750	140
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$163,530	420
Texas	$162,930	5,030
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$161,250	60
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$160,780	640
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$160,550	60
Oklahoma City, OK	$160,200	150
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$160,160	40
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$159,990	350
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$158,580	190
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$158,330	300
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$157,580	3,340
Delaware	$155,640	100
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$155,170	60
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$153,990	250
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$153,600	40
Port St. Lucie, FL	$153,290	100
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$149,990	40
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$149,330	380
Omaha, NE-IA	$147,310	120
Boulder, CO	$141,380	30
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$141,330	150
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$139,550	260
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$139,350	500
Georgia	$139,350	920
Massachusetts	$137,150	300
Rochester, NY	$135,350	N/A
Maine	$134,990	110
Kansas City, MO-KS	$134,100	280
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$133,990	1,400
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$133,520	240
Bismarck, ND	$133,500	60
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$133,180	660
Killeen-Temple, TX	$133,140	60
Nevada	$132,490	1,590
Cedar Rapids, IA	$132,110	40
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$132,030	180

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Commercial Pilots?

The national median annual salary for Commercial Pilots is $122,670, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Commercial Pilotss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Commercial Pilotss is Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, with a median salary of $227,140.

How much can an experienced Commercial Pilots make?

Top-earning Commercial Pilotss (90th percentile) make N/A or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.