What is the average hourly wage for Commercial Pilots?

The median hourly wage for Commercial Pilots is $50.03 per hour. This translates to approximately $104,060 per year working full-time.

What states pay Commercial Pilots the most?

Salaries for Commercial Pilots vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a commercial pilot?

Typical education required: High school diploma.

Commercial Pilots Salary

Name: Commercial Pilots Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$104,060

$50.03 / hour

▲ 4% (Average)

Salary Range

$55,152 - $178,983

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

46,070

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Commercial Pilots Salary by Percentile

$55,152 $178,983

10th pct Median: $104,060 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$55,152	$26.52
25th Percentile	$74,923	$36.02
50th (Median)	$104,060	$50.03
75th Percentile	$143,603	$69.04
90th (Top Earners)	$178,983	$86.05
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Commercial Pilots

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$137,359	$66.04
2	California (CA)	$130,075	$62.54
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$126,953	$61.04
4	New York (NY)	$126,953	$61.04
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$124,872	$60.03
6	Connecticut (CT)	$122,791	$59.03
7	Maryland (MD)	$122,791	$59.03
8	Hawaii (HI)	$119,669	$57.53
9	Alaska (AK)	$116,547	$56.03
10	Washington (WA)	$116,547	$56.03
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Commercial Pilots

Commercial Pilots work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the transportation sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma

Job Outlook for Commercial Pilots

Projected Growth

+4%

2022-2032

▲ 4% (Average)

Annual Job Openings

1,651,000

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Commercial Pilots make?

The median annual salary for Commercial Pilots is $104,060 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $55,152, while the top 10% earn $178,983 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Commercial Pilots?

Commercial Pilots earn a median hourly wage of $50.03 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $104,060 annually.

Is Commercial Pilots a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $104,060, Commercial Pilots earns above the U.S. median household income. Job outlook: Average (4% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Commercial Pilots need?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.