Commercial pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$78.41 per hour

$163,100 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$64.19 per hour

$133,520 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$48.76 per hour

$101,420 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$41.59 per hour

$86,500 per year

10th percentile

Starting level commercial pilot earnings begin at:

$27.42 per hour

$57,030 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Commercial pilot salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Utah $99,610
Rhode Island $98,820
Minnesota $98,630
New Mexico $97,920
Louisiana $95,940
Arkansas $94,410
South Dakota $83,710
New Hampshire $78,060
Puerto Rico $63,590
Connecticut $232,160
New Jersey $226,710
New York $177,430
California $165,590
Delaware $163,600
Ohio $150,330
Georgia $145,100
Colorado $139,680
Texas $137,960
Vermont $137,810
Pennsylvania $134,030
North Dakota $133,010
Maryland $131,210
Kentucky $129,990
Wisconsin $129,860
North Carolina $127,310
Michigan $126,670
Oklahoma $126,180
Illinois $126,100
Florida $121,890
Oregon $120,760
Washington $117,730
Maine $117,560
Tennessee $117,480
Hawaii $113,030
Idaho $109,620
West Virginia $105,950
South Carolina $105,740
Kansas $105,440
Nevada $105,340
Virginia $104,890
Nebraska $104,780
Indiana $104,160
Montana $103,690
Mississippi $103,640
Arizona $103,060
Missouri $102,990
Wyoming $102,990
Massachusetts $102,070
Iowa $101,800
Alabama $101,420
Alaska $100,120

How do commercial pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Commercial pilots earn 13% more than similar careers in Alabama. On average, they make more than aircraft mechanics.

Career Median Salary
Commercial pilot salary $101K
Aviation inspector salary $108K
Aircraft mechanic salary $82K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)