Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$38.52 per hour

$80,120 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$28.27 per hour

$58,800 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$22.73 per hour

$47,280 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$18.41 per hour

$38,300 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$17.83 per hour

$37,090 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 17% more than similar careers in Puerto Rico. On average, they make less than aircraft mechanics but more than aviation inspectors.

Career Median Salary
Aircraft mechanic salary $48K
Pilot salary $47K
Aviation inspector salary $18K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)