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Commercial pilot salary
Average commercial pilot salary
$94,406
Understanding Commercial Pilot Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Commercial Pilot stands at $94,406 per year. This figure can serve as a benchmark for those contemplating a career in aviation. However, salaries can vary widely based on geographic location, years of experience, and the type of employer. For instance, pilots working for major airlines typically earn more than those in charter services or cargo transport.
In addition to base salaries, pilots often receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and flight benefits, which can enhance overall compensation. Moreover, the demand for qualified pilots remains strong, making this a promising career path. By examining salary data from various states, individuals can identify regions that offer competitive pay and growth opportunities.
Exploring Salary by State
States such as California and Texas frequently offer some of the highest salaries for commercial pilots. Understanding the specific demands and salary ranges in these regions can help aspiring pilots make informed decisions about relocation and career development.
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Where can a Commercial Pilot earn more?
Commercial pilot salary estimates from across the web
Average commercial pilot salary by state
The highest-paying states for commercial pilots are California, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average commercial pilot salary states are Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for commercial pilots
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $128,074 | $61.57 |
| 2 | Nevada | $111,774 | $53.74 |
| 3 | Texas | $103,628 | $49.82 |
| 4 | Louisiana | $94,975 | $45.66 |
| 5 | Iowa | $95,515 | $45.92 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $117,895 | $56.68 |
| 7 | New York | $117,977 | $56.72 |
| 8 | Oregon | $102,347 | $49.21 |
| 9 | Kansas | $95,935 | $46.12 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $102,069 | $49.07 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $93,220 | $44.82 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $91,756 | $44.11 |
| 13 | Utah | $89,841 | $43.19 |
| 14 | Delaware | $90,706 | $43.61 |
| 15 | Arizona | $90,971 | $43.74 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $93,638 | $45.02 |
| 17 | Illinois | $89,529 | $43.04 |
| 18 | Montana | $96,274 | $46.29 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $93,283 | $44.85 |
| 20 | Washington | $95,918 | $46.11 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $94,168 | $45.27 |
| 22 | Ohio | $85,541 | $41.13 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $92,399 | $44.42 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $97,143 | $46.70 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $84,789 | $40.76 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $85,843 | $41.27 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $84,713 | $40.73 |
| 28 | Colorado | $90,787 | $43.65 |
| 29 | Idaho | $82,786 | $39.80 |
| 30 | Alaska | $89,679 | $43.11 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $83,675 | $40.23 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $78,717 | $37.84 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $82,551 | $39.69 |
| 34 | Florida | $83,744 | $40.26 |
| 35 | Vermont | $89,442 | $43.00 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $74,883 | $36.00 |
| 37 | Missouri | $81,036 | $38.96 |
| 38 | Maryland | $88,720 | $42.65 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $80,122 | $38.52 |
| 40 | Georgia | $72,482 | $34.85 |
| 41 | Indiana | $69,808 | $33.56 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $88,166 | $42.39 |
| 43 | Alabama | $64,804 | $31.16 |
| 44 | Michigan | $76,438 | $36.75 |
| 45 | Virginia | $80,809 | $38.85 |
| 46 | Pennsylvania | $74,115 | $35.63 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $70,331 | $33.81 |
| 48 | Maine | $75,903 | $36.49 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | $71,203 | $34.23 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $70,008 | $33.66 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $64,727 | $31.12 |
Highest paying cities for commercial pilots
The highest-paying cities for commercial pilots are Jackson, CA, Oxnard, CA, and Westlake Village, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson, CA | $136,591 | $65.67 |
| 2 | Oxnard, CA | $128,550 | $61.80 |
| 3 | Westlake Village, CA | $127,551 | $61.32 |
| 4 | Harrison, NY | $118,558 | $57.00 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $118,096 | $56.78 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $104,603 | $50.29 |
| 7 | Laredo, TX | $103,668 | $49.84 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $103,199 | $49.61 |
| 9 | Colorado Springs, CO | $90,879 | $43.69 |
| 10 | Lamar, CO | $87,978 | $42.30 |
| 11 | Richmond Heights, OH | $87,612 | $42.12 |
| 12 | Gainesville, FL | $85,603 | $41.16 |
| 13 | Cape Coral, FL | $83,427 | $40.11 |
| 14 | Pompano Beach, FL | $82,348 | $39.59 |
| 15 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $82,265 | $39.55 |
| 16 | Miami, FL | $81,964 | $39.41 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $81,497 | $39.18 |
| 18 | Bridgewater, VA | $79,695 | $38.31 |
Commercial pilot salary details
A commercial pilot's salary ranges from $63,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $139,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a commercial pilot's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $139,000 | $11,583 | $67 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,000 | $9,667 | $56 |
| Average | $94,406 | $7,867 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| 10th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
Highest paying commercial pilot jobs
The highest paying types of commercial pilots are fighter pilot, air tour pilot, and private pilot.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator | $97,217 | $8,101 | $46.74 | 3,482 |
| Pilot Instructor | $90,143 | $7,512 | $43.34 | 26,978 |
| Pilot Captain | $68,096 | $5,675 | $32.74 | 5,093 |
| Pilot | $83,128 | $6,927 | $39.97 | 3,049 |
| Air Tour Pilot | $101,440 | $8,453 | $48.77 | 3,885 |
| Test Pilot | $96,060 | $8,005 | $46.18 | 20,665 |
Top companies hiring commercial pilots now:
Which companies pay commercial pilots the most?
Commercial pilot salaries at Realty World California and CommutAir are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average commercial pilot salary at companies like Dynamic Aviation and Rampart Aviation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Realty World California | $94,716 | $45.54 |
| 2 | CommutAir | $90,877 | $43.69 |
| 3 | Dynamic Aviation | $86,659 | $41.66 |
| 4 | Rampart Aviation | $84,303 | $40.53 |
| 5 | Trans-System | $82,439 | $39.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Commercial pilot salary trends
The average commercial pilot salary has risen by $23,576 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average commercial pilot earned $70,830 annually, but today, they earn $94,406 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for commercial pilots over the last decade.
Compare commercial pilot salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average commercial pilot salary over time
Compare commercial pilot salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Commercial pilot salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,400 | $45.39 | +7.7% |
| 2024 | $87,100 | $41.88 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $83,200 | $40.01 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $79,700 | $38.30 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $78,100 | $37.56 | +1.4% |
Recently added commercial pilot salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training LLC | Cfi/Cfii/Mei & Commercial Tour Pilot) | New Orleans, LA | 06/10/2025 | $56,349 |
| New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training LLC | Cfi/Cfii/Mei & Commercial Tour Pilot) | New Orleans, LA | 03/27/2025 | $56,349 |
| Air Cover Crop Solutions LLC | Commercial Aerial Application Pilot | Frankford, MO | 03/21/2025 | $66,740 |
| New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training LLC | Cfi/Cfii/Mei & Commercial Tour Pilot) | New Orleans, LA | 02/19/2025 | $56,349 |
| Justhelicopters | Robinson R22/R44 Commercial Pilot and Cfii | Garland, TX | 02/18/2025 | $52,175 |
| Collegedroid | Commercial Pilots | Dodge City, KS | 02/17/2025 | $106,420 |
| New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training LLC | Cfi/Cfii/Mei & Commercial Tour Pilot) | New Orleans, LA | 01/30/2025 | $56,349 |
| Sugair, LLC | Agricultural Commercial Pilot | Taft, TX | 01/21/2025 | $114,785 |
| Nextgen Flight Academy Inc. and Learn To Fly LLC | Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL) | Redlands, CA | 10/24/2024 | $20,000 |
| Golden Epaulettes | Commercial Pilot Licence | Pine, AZ | 10/23/2024 | $146,000 |
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