Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$72.71 per hour

$151,240 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$56.61 per hour

$117,750 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$47.37 per hour

$98,530 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$39.91 per hour

$83,010 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$32.98 per hour

$68,600 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 16% more than similar careers in Minnesota. On average, they make less than commercial pilots but more than ship captains.

Career Median Salary
Commercial pilot salary $88K
Pilot salary $99K
Transportation planner salary $81K
Freight and cargo inspector salary $89K
Logistician salary $71K
Ship captain salary $71K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)