SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · United States
Commercial Pilots
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Commercial Pilots across the United States is $123,220 per year, measured over 47,630 jobs. The highest state median is in Connecticut, at $232,160.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Commercial Pilots
Pay for this occupation varies by 177.3% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Connecticut pays $232,160 and South Dakota pays $83,710.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $232,160 | 460 | |
| 2 | New Jersey | $226,710 | 670 | |
| 3 | New York | $177,430 | 1,070 | |
| 4 | California | $165,590 | 4,900 | |
| 5 | Delaware | $163,600 | 220 | |
| 6 | Ohio | $150,330 | 2,680 | |
| 7 | Georgia | $145,100 | 1,020 | |
| 8 | Colorado | $139,680 | 1,240 | |
| 9 | Texas | $137,960 | 4,120 | |
| 10 | Vermont | $137,810 | 40 |
States with the most Commercial Pilots jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 6,340 | $121,890 | |
| 2 | California | 4,900 | $165,590 | |
| 3 | Texas | 4,120 | $137,960 | |
| 4 | Ohio | 2,680 | $150,330 | |
| 5 | Arizona | 1,540 | $103,060 | |
| 6 | North Carolina | 1,520 | $127,310 | |
| 7 | Michigan | 1,390 | $126,670 | |
| 8 | Colorado | 1,240 | $139,680 | |
| 9 | Illinois | 1,170 | $126,100 | |
| 10 | Virginia | 1,130 | $104,890 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterbury | $315,450 | 130 |
| 2 | Kiryas Joel | $280,630 | 50 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $274,730 | 130 |
| 4 | Bridgeport | $232,600 | 90 |
| 5 | New York | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| 6 | Hartford | $211,350 | 100 |
| 7 | Trenton | $205,700 | 50 |
| 8 | Midland | $198,480 | 50 |
| 9 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $193,940 | 430 |
| 10 | Milwaukee | $177,730 | 420 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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