How much does a airline pilot make?
The median airline pilot in the United States earns $232,140 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all airline pilots earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-2011.
Airline pilot salary range
Pay for airline pilots spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $106,710 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $463,830. The average (mean) wage of $288,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $106,710 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $182,280 | |
| Median (50th) | $232,140 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $384,440 | |
| 90th percentile | $463,830 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers (SOC 53-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Airline pilot salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Airline pilots earn the most in Georgia at $618,090 a year, and the least in Missouri at $97,680. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $618,090 | 8,770 |
| Idaho | $507,640 | 330 |
| Michigan | $428,570 | N/A |
| California | $353,900 | 10,670 |
| Kentucky | $350,950 | 6,260 |
| Colorado | $307,490 | 5,830 |
| Illinois | $293,490 | 6,460 |
| New York | $255,240 | 6,900 |
| Alaska | $232,140 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $229,900 | 3,450 |
| Arizona | $227,870 | 2,200 |
| Florida | $225,020 | 7,760 |
| Texas | $215,150 | 10,930 |
| Minnesota | $211,470 | 2,960 |
| Ohio | $204,170 | 1,550 |
| Connecticut | $199,870 | 80 |
| Nevada | $192,460 | 2,160 |
| Utah | $174,590 | 1,880 |
| Oregon | $173,190 | 750 |
| Indiana | $171,260 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $168,970 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | 2,270 |
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $151,540 | 2,240 |
| Maine | $147,930 | 40 |
| Kansas | $143,580 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $143,580 | 360 |
| South Carolina | $143,580 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $143,580 | 110 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $136,990 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | 180 |
| Iowa | $131,730 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $131,650 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $120,740 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | 50 |
| Missouri | $97,680 | 120 |
State median wages for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers (SOC 53-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for airline pilots
The BLS projects employment of airline pilots to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 104,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 113,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,200 openings a year for airline pilots. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an airline pilot
The typical entry-level education for airline pilots is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an airline pilot earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Georgia, $618,090) and the lowest (Missouri, $97,680) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 103,560 people work as airline pilots in the United States. At $232,140 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Airline pilot salary FAQ
How much does an airline pilot make an hour?
Airline pilots are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $232,140.
What is the highest airline pilot salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of airline pilots earn more than $463,830 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an airline pilot make a year?
The median annual salary for an airline pilot is $232,140. The average (mean) wage of $288,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an airline pilot a well paid job?
At $232,140 a year, an airline pilot earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 103,560 people work as airline pilots in the United States.
Which state pays airline pilots the most?
Georgia has the highest median salary for airline pilots at $618,090 a year. Idaho ($507,640) and Michigan ($428,570) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an airline pilot a good career?
Employment of airline pilots is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an airline pilot?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for airline pilots as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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