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Top 10 Cities for Pilots in 2026
As you embark on your journey in the aviation industry, knowing which U.S. cities offer the best opportunities for pilots is crucial. With evolving career paths and regional salary variations, understanding where to focus your job search can significantly influence your long-term career prospects. The right location can enhance your earnings while providing ample job opportunities, especially in a profession as dynamic as pilots.
To aid your decision-making process, our team at Zippia analyzed various data points to identify the cities that currently provide the best career prospects for pilots. We focused on cities where pilots enjoy competitive salaries relative to the cost of living and where job openings are abundant.
Utilizing recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we compiled a list of the top cities for pilots in 2026:
- Savannah, GA
- Midland, TX
- Houma, LA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Killeen, TX
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Pensacola, FL
- Houston, TX
- Kingsport, TN
- Crestview, FL
In summary, Savannah stands out as the premier city for pilots in 2026.
Conversely, if you’re looking to avoid less favorable markets, consider steering clear of Montgomery County, PA.
Continue reading to discover the methodology behind our research and gain further insights into the top ten cities for pilots.
How We Determined the Best Cities for Pilots
At Zippia, we engage extensively with job seekers across various fields. Our research indicates that job availability and competitive pay are paramount for many in their career decisions.
- Job availability
- Salary levels
To identify the best cities for pilots, we focused on two primary criteria: job availability and salary. This analysis was based on criteria sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent the pilot profession is in a given city.
- Average annual salary.
- Average entry-level salary.
We adjusted salary figures to account for variations in the state’s cost of living, ensuring a more equitable comparison across cities. Our dataset encompassed 116 metropolitan areas, allowing us to categorize each city effectively. For instance, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” was simplified to Boston.
To create a comprehensive ranking, each city was evaluated against the criteria, with rankings assigned from 1 to 116, where 1 indicated the best performance. The overall Job Score was calculated by averaging these rankings, with the city achieving the lowest score recognized as the best city for pilots.
Let’s delve into what makes each of these cities ideal for pilots.
1. Savannah, GA
Total Jobs: 360
Average Annual Salary: $115,320
Average Entry Level Salary: $66,100
Location Quotient: 7.68
2. Midland, TX
Total Jobs: 80
Average Annual Salary: $104,200
Average Entry Level Salary: $65,530
Location Quotient: 3.09
3. Houma, LA
Total Jobs: 310
Average Annual Salary: $91,360
Average Entry Level Salary: $63,350
Location Quotient: 11.26
4. Santa Rosa, CA
Total Jobs: 60
Average Annual Salary: $135,820
Average Entry Level Salary: $83,330
Location Quotient: 1.04
5. Killeen, TX
Total Jobs: 40
Average Annual Salary: $105,260
Average Entry Level Salary: $65,160
Location Quotient: 1.05
6. Hattiesburg, MS
Total Jobs: 40
Average Annual Salary: $77,930
Average Entry Level Salary: $66,520
Location Quotient: 2.5
7. Pensacola, FL
Total Jobs: 160
Average Annual Salary: $96,760
Average Entry Level Salary: $54,810
Location Quotient: 3.46
8. Houston, TX
Total Jobs: 1,340
Average Annual Salary: $117,780
Average Entry Level Salary: $48,670
Location Quotient: 1.59
9. Kingsport, TN
Total Jobs: 80
Average Annual Salary: $84,630
Average Entry Level Salary: $51,220
Location Quotient: 2.32
10. Crestview, FL
Total Jobs: 210
Average Annual Salary: $93,210
Average Entry Level Salary: $50,580
Location Quotient: 7.15
And That’s Our List of the Best Cities for Pilots
If you’re looking to kickstart your career as a pilot, these cities should top your list. They offer competitive salaries, plentiful job openings, and strong potential for career advancement.
On the other hand, here are some cities you may want to avoid as a pilot:
- Montgomery County, PA
- San Jose, CA
- Nashville, TN
Detailed List of the Best Cities for Pilots
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah, GA | $115,320 |
| 2 | Midland, TX | $104,200 |
| 3 | Houma, LA | $91,360 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa, CA | $135,820 |
| 5 | Killeen, TX | $105,260 |
| 6 | Hattiesburg, MS | $77,930 |
| 7 | Pensacola, FL | $96,760 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $117,780 |
| 9 | Kingsport, TN | $84,630 |
| 10 | Crestview, FL | $93,210 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
