Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$99.38 per hour

$206,700 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$95.99 per hour

$199,660 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$72.86 per hour

$151,540 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$47.68 per hour

$99,180 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$46.97 per hour

$97,700 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 15% more than similar careers in North Carolina. On average, they make more than transportation planners.

Career Median Salary
Pilot salary $152K
Commercial pilot salary $127K
Air traffic controller salary $129K
Transportation planner salary $81K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)