Commercial pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$71.01 per hour

$147,710 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$59.16 per hour

$123,050 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$39.61 per hour

$82,390 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$30.96 per hour

$64,400 per year

10th percentile

Starting level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$20.34 per hour

$42,310 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Commercial pilot salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Illinois $99,990
Maryland $97,100
Rhode Island $94,660
Kansas $93,250
Kentucky $93,160
Texas $92,720
Nevada $92,530
Delaware $92,260
Mississippi $92,220
Washington $92,140
Alabama $89,730
Pennsylvania $89,030
Minnesota $87,510
Virginia $87,440
Missouri $86,990
New Jersey $86,660
Hawaii $86,090
Iowa $82,390
New Mexico $82,130
California $81,940
Colorado $81,480
Ohio $81,050
Vermont $80,110
Arizona $79,458
Nebraska $78,820
North Dakota $77,830
Oklahoma $77,560
Florida $77,430
Idaho $76,310
Michigan $75,600
Alaska $75,506
West Virginia $75,000
North Carolina $74,150
Utah $73,490
Tennessee $71,280
Wyoming $70,280
Arkansas $70,170
Wisconsin $68,780
Louisiana $68,740
Oregon $65,820
Indiana $65,510
Montana $64,640
South Dakota $60,520
New Hampshire $57,210
Maine $54,960
New York $127,590
South Carolina $114,210
Connecticut $110,870
Massachusetts $104,830
Georgia $101,600

How do commercial pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Commercial pilots earn 13% more than similar careers in Iowa. On average, they make more than ship captains.

Career Median Salary
Commercial pilot salary $82K
Air traffic controller salary $82K
Freight and cargo inspector salary $85K
Shipmate salary $74K
Ship captain salary $74K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)