Commercial Pilot Salary in 2026
How Much Do Commercial Pilots Make?
Commercial Pilots earn a median annual salary of $122,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $59,330 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $179,870. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $239,200.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,330 |
| 25th percentile | $81,660 |
| Median (50th) | $122,670 |
| 75th percentile | $175,050 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Commercial Pilot Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $239,200 |
| Connecticut | $227,140 |
| New York | $172,500 |
| Texas | $162,930 |
| Delaware | $155,640 |
| Georgia | $139,350 |
| Massachusetts | $137,150 |
| Maine | $134,990 |
| Nevada | $132,490 |
| Michigan | $130,560 |
| Florida | $130,530 |
| Maryland | $130,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $129,540 |
| North Carolina | $126,740 |
| Wyoming | $126,570 |
| Missouri | $124,060 |
| Washington | $123,530 |
| Colorado | $122,700 |
| California | $122,100 |
| Louisiana | $120,710 |
| South Carolina | $119,810 |
| Tennessee | $119,330 |
| Minnesota | $117,960 |
| Ohio | $116,050 |
| Virginia | $115,490 |
| Oregon | $112,620 |
| North Dakota | $111,120 |
| Alaska | $110,930 |
| Oklahoma | $108,200 |
| Alabama | $106,840 |
| Illinois | $105,290 |
| Kansas | $103,400 |
| Wisconsin | $103,290 |
| Montana | $103,110 |
| Idaho | $103,090 |
| West Virginia | $102,640 |
| Hawaii | $102,390 |
| Arizona | $102,280 |
| Rhode Island | $101,330 |
| Kentucky | $101,290 |
| Utah | $101,160 |
| Iowa | $101,040 |
| Nebraska | $100,150 |
| Mississippi | $99,920 |
| Indiana | $96,730 |
| Vermont | $95,660 |
| New Mexico | $85,140 |
| Arkansas | $84,140 |
| South Dakota | $75,740 |
| New Hampshire | $60,920 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Commercial Pilots
Commercial Pilot Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$59,330 – $81,660 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$122,670 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$175,050 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Commercial Pilot
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Commercial Pilots in New Jersey earn $239,200 — $116,530 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($175,050) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Commercial Pilot Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Commercial Pilotthis career | $122,670 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technician | $79,830 |
| Remote Sensing Technician | $60,130 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $68,810 |
| Dispatcher | $48,880 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 53-2012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.