Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$48.72 per hour

$101,340 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$37.25 per hour

$77,480 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$23.88 per hour

$49,660 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$23.16 per hour

$48,180 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$18.78 per hour

$39,060 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
Wisconsin $87,820
Wyoming $80,630
Georgia $618,090
Idaho $507,640
Montana $49,660
Puerto Rico $47,280
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
Virginia $206,690
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
West Virginia $103,810

How do pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Pilots earn about the same as related careers in Montana. On average, they make less than aviation inspectors but more than aircraft mechanics.

Career Median Salary
Aviation inspector salary $62K
Pilot salary $50K
Aircraft mechanic salary $61K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)