Best cities for an airline pilot
The best cities for airline pilots are Pittsburgh, PA, Portland, OR, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for airline pilots vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for airline pilots in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an airline pilot or considering a move, this list of the best cities for airline pilots to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for airline pilots. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an airline pilot. While the absolute best city for airline pilots is Pittsburgh, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for airline pilots in 2024.
If you're looking for an airline pilot job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for airline pilots in 2025
1. Pittsburgh, PA
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $99,763 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Portland, OR
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,397 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Philadelphia, PA
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $102,966 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Greensboro, NC
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $99,661 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Raleigh, NC
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $100,332 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Reno, NV
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $99,499 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Winston-Salem, NC
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $99,378 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Durham, NC
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $100,203 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Charlotte, NC
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $98,928 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Las Vegas, NV
Total airline pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $96,944 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for airline pilots
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Philadelphia, PA
- Greensboro, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Durham, NC
- Charlotte, NC
- Las Vegas, NV
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Detailed list of the best cities for an airline pilot
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $99,763 | $76,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $117,397 | $84,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $102,966 | $79,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 4 | Greensboro, NC | $99,661 | $76,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 5 | Raleigh, NC | $100,332 | $77,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $99,499 | $70,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 7 | Winston-Salem, NC | $99,378 | $76,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 8 | Durham, NC | $100,203 | $77,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 9 | Charlotte, NC | $98,928 | $76,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $96,944 | $68,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 11 | North Las Vegas, NV | $96,759 | $68,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 12 | El Paso, TX | $99,428 | $72,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $90,195 | $68,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 14 | Laredo, TX | $96,769 | $70,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $96,247 | $67,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | $96,632 | $70,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 17 | Austin, TX | $96,335 | $70,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 18 | Toledo, OH | $89,709 | $68,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 19 | Corpus Christi, TX | $96,263 | $70,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 20 | Houston, TX | $95,774 | $69,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 21 | Columbus, OH | $89,527 | $68,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 22 | Lubbock, TX | $95,864 | $70,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 23 | Fort Worth, TX | $94,200 | $69,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 24 | Dallas, TX | $93,902 | $69,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 25 | Arlington, TX | $94,132 | $69,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 26 | Cincinnati, OH | $88,706 | $67,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 27 | Irving, TX | $93,882 | $69,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 28 | Garland, TX | $93,625 | $69,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 29 | Saint Paul, MN | $97,229 | $73,000 | 302,398 | 15 |
| 30 | Lexington, KY | $88,748 | $67,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 31 | Plano, TX | $93,496 | $69,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 32 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $98,163 | $72,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 33 | Minneapolis, MN | $97,212 | $73,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 34 | Louisville, KY | $88,224 | $67,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 35 | Tampa, FL | $98,092 | $72,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 36 | New Orleans, LA | $91,392 | $67,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 37 | Jacksonville, FL | $97,517 | $73,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 38 | Orlando, FL | $97,497 | $72,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 39 | Miami, FL | $96,168 | $71,000 | 453,579 | 2 |
| 40 | Hialeah, FL | $96,286 | $71,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 41 | Wichita, KS | $89,269 | $66,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 42 | Virginia Beach, VA | $102,294 | $78,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 43 | Norfolk, VA | $102,109 | $78,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 44 | Jersey City, NJ | $96,722 | $74,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 45 | Anchorage, AK | $95,999 | $76,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 46 | Chesapeake, VA | $102,080 | $78,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 47 | Newark, NJ | $96,658 | $74,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 48 | Islip, NY | $97,115 | $74,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 49 | Memphis, TN | $77,703 | $58,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 50 | Lincoln, NE | $81,588 | $60,000 | 280,364 | - |
Highest paying cities for airline pilots
| Rank | City | Avg. airline pilot salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint George, UT | $97,883 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $97,229 |
| 3 | Miramar, FL | $96,426 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $93,902 |
| 5 | Salisbury, MD | $89,186 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $79,291 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $78,547 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $74,281 |