Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$96.67 per hour

$201,080 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$81.01 per hour

$168,510 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$63.33 per hour

$131,730 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$41.62 per hour

$86,570 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$30.82 per hour

$64,100 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Pilot salary by state

State Name Average Salary
New Hampshire $99,280
Missouri $97,680
West Virginia $89,650
Wyoming $80,630
Montana $71,030
Puerto Rico $66,760
Georgia $618,090
Idaho $507,640
Michigan $428,570
California $353,900
Kentucky $350,950
Colorado $307,490
Illinois $293,490
New York $255,240
Alaska $232,140
Washington $229,900
Arizona $227,870
Florida $225,020
Texas $215,150
Minnesota $211,470
Ohio $204,170
Connecticut $199,870
Nevada $192,460
Utah $174,590
Oregon $173,190
Indiana $171,260
Arkansas $168,970
Pennsylvania $164,990
Rhode Island $164,880
North Carolina $151,540
Maine $147,930
Kansas $143,580
Mississippi $143,580
South Carolina $143,580
Tennessee $143,580
Alabama $136,990
New Mexico $136,990
Oklahoma $133,680
Iowa $131,730
Nebraska $131,650
Louisiana $120,740
North Dakota $116,470
Wisconsin $108,150

How do pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Pilots earn 21% more than similar careers in Iowa. On average, they make more than transportation planners.

Career Median Salary
Pilot salary $132K
Commercial pilot salary $102K
Freight and cargo inspector salary $117K
Transportation planner salary $92K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)