Commercial Pilots Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for commercial pilots in the United States was $123,220 (— per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,850 | — |
| 25th | $84,540 | — |
| Median | $123,220 | — |
| 75th | $190,440 | — |
| 90th | $266,620 | — |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 53-2012
- Total U.S. employment: 47,630
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
Across the United States, 47,630 commercial pilots are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Commercial Pilots Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $101,420 | — | -17.7% | 780 |
| Alaska | $100,120 | — | -18.7% | 1,000 |
| Arizona | $103,060 | — | -16.4% | 1,540 |
| Arkansas | $94,410 | — | -23.4% | 460 |
| California | $165,590 | — | +34.4% | 4,900 |
| Colorado | $139,680 | — | +13.4% | 1,240 |
| Connecticut | $232,160 | — | +88.4% | 460 |
| Delaware | $163,600 | — | +32.8% | 220 |
| Florida | $121,890 | — | -1.1% | 6,340 |
| Georgia | $145,100 | — | +17.8% | 1,020 |
| Hawaii | $113,030 | — | -8.3% | 350 |
| Idaho | $109,620 | — | -11.0% | 310 |
| Illinois | $126,100 | — | +2.3% | 1,170 |
| Indiana | $104,160 | — | -15.5% | 960 |
| Iowa | $101,800 | — | -17.4% | 300 |
| Kansas | $105,440 | — | -14.4% | 680 |
| Kentucky | $129,990 | — | +5.5% | 800 |
| Louisiana | $95,940 | — | -22.1% | 910 |
| Maine | $117,560 | — | -4.6% | 100 |
| Maryland | $131,210 | — | +6.5% | 360 |
| Massachusetts | — | — | — | 160 |
| Michigan | $126,670 | — | +2.8% | 1,390 |
| Minnesota | $98,630 | — | -20.0% | 910 |
| Mississippi | $103,640 | — | -15.9% | 240 |
| Missouri | $102,990 | — | -16.4% | 670 |
| Montana | $103,690 | — | -15.8% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $104,780 | — | -15.0% | 290 |
| Nevada | $105,340 | — | -14.5% | 1,100 |
| New Hampshire | — | — | — | 440 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 | — | +84.0% | 670 |
| New Mexico | $97,920 | — | -20.5% | 370 |
| New York | $177,430 | — | +44.0% | 1,070 |
| North Carolina | $127,310 | — | +3.3% | 1,520 |
| North Dakota | $133,010 | — | +7.9% | 370 |
| Ohio | $150,330 | — | +22.0% | 2,680 |
| Oklahoma | $126,180 | — | +2.4% | 540 |
| Oregon | $120,760 | — | -2.0% | 670 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,030 | — | +8.8% | 530 |
| Rhode Island | $98,820 | — | -19.8% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $105,740 | — | -14.2% | 290 |
| South Dakota | $83,710 | — | -32.1% | 320 |
| Tennessee | $117,480 | — | -4.7% | 1,030 |
| Texas | $137,960 | — | +12.0% | 4,120 |
| Utah | $99,610 | — | -19.2% | 540 |
| Vermont | $137,810 | — | +11.8% | 40 |
| Virginia | $104,890 | — | -14.9% | 1,130 |
| Washington | $117,730 | — | -4.5% | 890 |
| West Virginia | $105,950 | — | -14.0% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $129,860 | — | +5.4% | 1,090 |
| Wyoming | $102,990 | — | -16.4% | 190 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators — $44,650/yr
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,670/yr
- Security Guards — $38,020/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for commercial pilots?
The median annual wage for commercial pilots is $123,220 (— per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays commercial pilots the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many commercial pilots are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 47,630 commercial pilots employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do commercial pilots make per hour?
The median hourly wage is —. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.