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Airplane pilot salary
Average airplane pilot salary
$103,240
Average Airplane Pilot Salary
The average salary for an airplane pilot in the United States is $103,240 annually, translating to about $50 per hour. Salary figures can vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of flying involved. For instance, pilots working for major airlines often earn significantly more than those in smaller operations.
Salary Variation by State
Pay for airplane pilots differs by state. States like California, Texas, and Florida frequently offer higher salaries due to demand and cost of living. For example, California pilots often enjoy salaries exceeding $120,000 annually.
Job Opportunities
Airplane pilots can work in various fields, including commercial aviation, cargo transport, and private flying. This diversity opens multiple pathways for career advancement and specialization, such as becoming a flight instructor or charter pilot.
Conclusion
Understanding salary dynamics and career opportunities is crucial for aspiring pilots. By targeting high-demand areas and gaining relevant experience, pilots can maximize their income potential and career satisfaction.
Let Zippia find your next airplane pilot job
Let Zippia find your next airplane pilot job
Where can an Airplane Pilot earn more?
Average airplane pilot salary by state
The highest-paying states for airplane pilots are New Jersey, California, and Wyoming. The lowest average airplane pilot salary states are Wisconsin, Indiana, and Maine.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for airplane pilots
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $114,191 | $54.90 |
| 2 | Alaska | $113,806 | $54.71 |
| 3 | Kansas | $115,038 | $55.31 |
| 4 | Iowa | $114,692 | $55.14 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $107,704 | $51.78 |
| 6 | California | $121,114 | $58.23 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $122,291 | $58.79 |
| 8 | Montana | $108,262 | $52.05 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $97,436 | $46.84 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $115,312 | $55.44 |
| 11 | Texas | $101,244 | $48.67 |
| 12 | Colorado | $101,942 | $49.01 |
| 13 | Florida | $99,482 | $47.83 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $100,767 | $48.45 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $97,446 | $46.85 |
| 17 | Missouri | $97,532 | $46.89 |
| 18 | Utah | $99,121 | $47.65 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $95,476 | $45.90 |
| 20 | New York | $108,437 | $52.13 |
| 21 | Illinois | $103,248 | $49.64 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $102,281 | $49.17 |
| 23 | Oregon | $97,083 | $46.67 |
| 24 | Idaho | $93,012 | $44.72 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $96,907 | $46.59 |
| 26 | Michigan | $97,441 | $46.85 |
| 27 | Washington | $100,222 | $48.18 |
| 28 | Ohio | $94,821 | $45.59 |
| 29 | Arizona | $93,402 | $44.90 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $93,659 | $45.03 |
| 31 | Delaware | $95,491 | $45.91 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $96,220 | $46.26 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $94,095 | $45.24 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $87,224 | $41.93 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $93,813 | $45.10 |
| 37 | Massachusetts | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $83,189 | $39.99 |
| 39 | Maryland | $94,789 | $45.57 |
| 40 | Connecticut | $95,980 | $46.14 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $94,668 | $45.51 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $84,364 | $40.56 |
| 43 | Vermont | $94,825 | $45.59 |
| 44 | Alabama | $75,829 | $36.46 |
| 45 | Virginia | $87,356 | $42.00 |
| 46 | Georgia | $84,098 | $40.43 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $80,781 | $38.84 |
| 48 | Indiana | $80,632 | $38.77 |
| 49 | Maine | $80,307 | $38.61 |
| 50 | Minnesota | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| 51 | Pennsylvania | $77,950 | $37.48 |
Highest paying cities for airplane pilots
The highest-paying cities for airplane pilots are Fort Lauderdale, FL, Albuquerque, NM, and Fargo, ND.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $98,136 | $47.18 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $97,305 | $46.78 |
| 3 | Fargo, ND | $96,704 | $46.49 |
Airplane pilot salary details
An airplane pilot's salary ranges from $78,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $136,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an airplane pilot's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $11,333 | $65 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,000 | $9,917 | $57 |
| Average | $103,240 | $8,603 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 10th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
Highest paying airplane pilot jobs
The highest paying types of airplane pilots are fighter pilot, private pilot, and ems helicopter 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 |
| Helicopter Pilot | $89,418 | $7,452 | $42.99 | 4,054 |
| Test Pilot | $96,060 | $8,005 | $46.18 | 20,665 |
Top companies hiring airplane pilots now:
Which companies pay airplane pilots the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Manufacturing Co | $98,844 | $47.52 |
| 2 | Air National Guard | $97,757 | $47.00 |
| 3 | Spectrum Health | $89,006 | $42.79 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Airplane pilot salary trends
The average airplane pilot salary has risen by $25,782 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average airplane pilot earned $77,458 annually, but today, they earn $103,240 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for airplane pilots over the last decade.
Compare airplane pilot salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average airplane pilot salary over time
Compare airplane pilot salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Airplane pilot salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $103,000 | $49.63 | +7.7% |
| 2024 | $95,300 | $45.79 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $91,000 | $43.75 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $87,100 | $41.89 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $85,400 | $41.07 | +1.4% |
Recently added airplane pilot salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Port Hueneme, CA | 06/06/2025 | $144,040 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot (Title 32) | Peoria, IL | 05/29/2025 | $130,536 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot (T32) | Birmingham, AL | 05/29/2025 | $130,536 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Belle Chasse, LA | 05/29/2025 | $128,354 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Sioux City, IA | 05/23/2025 | $130,536 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot (Title 32) | Salt Lake City, UT | 05/17/2025 | $130,536 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Port Hueneme, CA | 04/23/2025 | $144,040 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Belle Chasse, LA | 04/18/2025 | $128,354 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Saint Paul, MN | 03/23/2025 | $138,838 |
| Department of The Air Force | Airplane Pilot | Belle Chasse, LA | 03/19/2025 | $128,354 |
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