Commercial pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$58.21 per hour

$121,070 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$47.24 per hour

$98,250 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$37.42 per hour

$77,830 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$30.39 per hour

$63,210 per year

10th percentile

Starting level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$22.99 per hour

$47,820 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 12% more than similar careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than freight and cargo inspectors but more than aircraft mechanics.

Career Median Salary
Freight and cargo inspector salary $90K
Air traffic controller salary $90K
Commercial pilot salary $78K
Customs broker salary $66K
Transportation planner salary $67K
Logistician salary $61K
Aircraft mechanic salary $52K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)