How much does a commercial pilot make?
The median commercial pilot in the United States earns $123,220 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all commercial pilots earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-2012.
Commercial pilot salary range
Pay for commercial pilots spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $266,620. The average (mean) wage of $146,080 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 | $58,850 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $84,540 | |
| Median (50th) | $123,220 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $190,440 | |
| 90th percentile | $266,620 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for commercial pilots (SOC 53-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Commercial pilot salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Commercial pilots earn the most in Connecticut at $232,160 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $83,710. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 | 670 |
| New York | $177,430 | 1,070 |
| California | $165,590 | 4,900 |
| Delaware | $163,600 | 220 |
| Ohio | $150,330 | 2,680 |
| Georgia | $145,100 | 1,020 |
| Colorado | $139,680 | 1,240 |
| Texas | $137,960 | 4,120 |
| Vermont | $137,810 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,030 | 530 |
| North Dakota | $133,010 | 370 |
| Maryland | $131,210 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $129,990 | 800 |
| Wisconsin | $129,860 | 1,090 |
| North Carolina | $127,310 | 1,520 |
| Michigan | $126,670 | 1,390 |
| Oklahoma | $126,180 | 540 |
| Illinois | $126,100 | 1,170 |
| Florida | $121,890 | 6,340 |
| Oregon | $120,760 | 670 |
| Washington | $117,730 | 890 |
| Maine | $117,560 | 100 |
| Tennessee | $117,480 | 1,030 |
| Hawaii | $113,030 | 350 |
| Idaho | $109,620 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $105,950 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $105,740 | 290 |
| Kansas | $105,440 | 680 |
| Nevada | $105,340 | 1,100 |
| Virginia | $104,890 | 1,130 |
| Nebraska | $104,780 | 290 |
| Indiana | $104,160 | 960 |
| Montana | $103,690 | 330 |
| Mississippi | $103,640 | 240 |
| Arizona | $103,060 | 1,540 |
| Missouri | $102,990 | 670 |
| Wyoming | $102,990 | 190 |
| Iowa | $101,800 | 300 |
| Alabama | $101,420 | 780 |
| Alaska | $100,120 | 1,000 |
| Utah | $99,610 | 540 |
| Rhode Island | $98,820 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $98,630 | 910 |
| New Mexico | $97,920 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $95,940 | 910 |
| Arkansas | $94,410 | 460 |
| South Dakota | $83,710 | 320 |
State median wages for commercial pilots (SOC 53-2012), 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 commercial pilots
The BLS projects employment of commercial pilots to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 50,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 53,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,200 openings a year for commercial 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 a commercial pilot
The typical entry-level education for commercial pilots is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a commercial 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 (Connecticut, $232,160) and the lowest (South Dakota, $83,710) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 47,630 people work as commercial pilots in the United States. At $123,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Commercial pilot salary FAQ
How much does a commercial pilot make an hour?
Commercial 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 $123,220.
What is the highest commercial pilot salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of commercial pilots earn more than $266,620 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a commercial pilot make a year?
The median annual salary for a commercial pilot is $123,220. The average (mean) wage of $146,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a commercial pilot a well paid job?
At $123,220 a year, a commercial pilot earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 47,630 people work as commercial pilots in the United States.
Which state pays commercial pilots the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for commercial pilots at $232,160 a year. New Jersey ($226,710) and New York ($177,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a commercial pilot a good career?
Employment of commercial pilots is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a commercial pilot?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for commercial pilots as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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