SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial Pilots — Bismarck
Bismarck, ND · 2 metro areas compared
In Bismarck, ND the median wage for Commercial Pilots is $137,510 a year, which is 11.6% higher than the national figure of $123,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Bismarck, ND the median wage for Commercial Pilots is $137,510 a year, which is 11.6% higher than the national figure of $123,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $92,880 and $285,690. The lowest tenth earn under $81,730, while the highest tenth earn more than $372,360.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Fargo records the highest median at $131,950. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 13th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,730 | −33.7% |
| 25th | $92,880 | −24.6% |
| Median (50th) | $137,510 | +11.6% |
| 75th | $285,690 | +131.9% |
| 90th | $372,360 | +202.2% |
| Mean | $187,480 | +52.2% |
Other metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $131,950 | 110 | |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $111,680 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Bismarck run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $137,510 goes as far as $154,506 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$137,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$154,506US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $137,510 a year, 11.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $81,730 to $372,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fargo, at $131,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial Pilots in Bismarck, ND?
The median annual wage is $137,510, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $123,220, so pay in Bismarck, ND is 11.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Bismarck, ND earns more than $372,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $81,730 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fargo, at $131,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Bismarck, ND. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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