The average salary for a commercial pilot in the United States is $138,010, but the range typically falls between $79,440 and $168,700. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $66.35, with a range between $38.19 and $81.11.
There are approximately 52,750 people employed as a commercial pilot in the United States. With Texas, Florida, California employing the highest number of commercial pilots.The state with the best pay for a commercial pilot is Connecticut, with an average annual salary of $213,490, while Vermont has the lowest average annual salary of $101,480.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Median | $113,080 | $54.37 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,700 | $81.11 |
| 90th Percentile | >$239,200 | >$115.00 |
The salary of a commercial pilot can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a commercial pilot in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for commercial pilots are Connecticut, Delaware, Texas, New York, Georgia while the worst states are Vermont, South Dakota, Maine, Arkansas, Hawaii.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $73,000 | $110,250 | $136,220 |
| Alaska | $73,640 | $136,150 | >$239,200 |
| Arizona | $45,640 | $100,750 | $165,900 |
| Arkansas | $25,540 | $83,890 | $123,240 |
| California | $55,080 | $154,340 | >$239,200 |
| Colorado | $48,860 | $113,460 | $179,570 |
| Connecticut | $141,230 | $213,490 | >$239,200 |
| Delaware | $83,560 | $172,280 | >$239,200 |
| Florida | $60,250 | $136,320 | >$239,200 |
| Georgia | $78,930 | $164,340 | >$239,200 |
| Hawaii | $34,990 | $102,400 | $170,540 |
| Idaho | $57,110 | $116,970 | $215,990 |
| Indiana | $44,790 | $106,240 | $170,300 |
| Iowa | $77,380 | $115,450 | $169,110 |
| Kansas | $37,380 | $123,990 | $233,210 |
| Kentucky | $65,330 | $150,530 | >$239,200 |
| Louisiana | $76,130 | $138,240 | $176,960 |
| Maine | $49,710 | $100,800 | $197,480 |
| Maryland | $81,600 | $139,560 | $213,660 |
| Massachusetts | $52,670 | $110,820 | $193,110 |
| Michigan | $52,480 | $128,710 | >$239,200 |
| Minnesota | $78,640 | $131,500 | $201,450 |
| Mississippi | $66,290 | $114,300 | $196,000 |
| Missouri | $61,390 | $128,830 | $200,090 |
| Montana | $64,090 | $105,950 | $147,930 |
| Nebraska | $59,570 | $125,160 | $182,970 |
| Nevada | $48,420 | $130,060 | >$239,200 |
| New Hampshire | $42,650 | $95,410 | $153,860 |
| New Mexico | $52,550 | $105,330 | $165,030 |
| New York | $77,020 | $199,690 | >$239,200 |
| North Carolina | $55,470 | $108,890 | $162,610 |
| North Dakota | $56,090 | $126,370 | >$239,200 |
| Ohio | $52,770 | $102,970 | $166,550 |
| Oklahoma | $54,590 | $108,940 | $173,500 |
| Oregon | $48,290 | $100,800 | $182,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,310 | $121,250 | $211,280 |
| Rhode Island | $58,400 | $129,700 | $213,430 |
| South Carolina | $48,930 | $120,750 | $188,000 |
| South Dakota | $49,400 | $77,250 | $108,750 |
| Tennessee | $35,090 | $117,250 | $196,570 |
| Texas | $65,470 | $180,660 | >$239,200 |
| Utah | $60,050 | $126,760 | $208,790 |
| Vermont | $49,500 | $101,480 | $201,970 |
| Virginia | $54,250 | $127,810 | $214,340 |
| Washington | $55,900 | $133,300 | >$239,200 |
| West Virginia | $45,060 | $142,960 | >$239,200 |
| Wisconsin | $51,170 | $131,720 | $220,100 |
Even between cities, the salary of a commercial pilot can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for commercial pilots is Savannah, GA with an average salary of $265,410.The city with the lowest average salary for commercial pilots is Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach area, SC with an average salary of $56,630.
Areas with highest average salaries for commercial pilots
Areas with lowest average salaries for commercial pilots
The number of commercial pilots in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of commercial pilots has increased by 15,630. On average, the number of commercial pilots has been increasing by 10.5% each year. The salary of commercial pilots has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of commercial pilots has increased by $27,180. On average, the salary of commercial pilots has been increasing by 6.1% each year.
Commercial Pilots are part of the transportation and material moving occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for commercial pilots compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all transportation and material moving occupations jobs here.
$136,790 per year
$75,870 per year
$35,120 per year
$36,920 per year
$250,050 per year
$72,220 per year
