Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$83.00 per hour

$172,630 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$60.96 per hour

$126,790 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$53.75 per hour

$111,790 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$45.73 per hour

$95,120 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$40.57 per hour

$84,380 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Pilot salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Minnesota $98,530
Arizona $98,266
Louisiana $98,100
Tennessee $91,320
West Virginia $89,650
Mississippi $88,060
Georgia $87,940
Wyoming $80,630
Maine $76,470
Montana $71,030
Puerto Rico $66,760
Washington $237,150
Michigan $233,550
Nevada $220,400
Oregon $205,660
California $197,740
Illinois $193,600
Colorado $183,860
Texas $183,440
Florida $163,620
Pennsylvania $143,376
Alaska $136,460
Indiana $124,270
New Mexico $120,230
Iowa $117,192
North Dakota $116,470
Nebraska $112,680
Connecticut $111,790
New Hampshire $111,150
Wisconsin $108,150
Kansas $105,360
Alabama $104,690
South Carolina $104,690
Missouri $104,190
Ohio $102,010
Arkansas $101,590
North Carolina $101,420
Oklahoma $100,480
Utah $100,450
New York $100,020

How do pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Pilots earn 32% more than similar careers in Connecticut. On average, they make more than customs brokers.

Career Median Salary
Pilot salary $112K
Air traffic controller salary $81K
Freight and cargo inspector salary $72K
Aircraft mechanic salary $81K
Customs broker salary $75K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)