SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial Pilots — Columbus
Columbus, IN · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Commercial Pilots in Columbus, IN is $99,250 per year, 19.5% below the national median of $123,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Commercial Pilots in Columbus, IN is $99,250 per year, 19.5% below the national median of $123,220. Half of workers earn between $88,730 and $126,320. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $88,730 and the ninetieth at $149,270.
Within the state, Indianapolis records the highest median at $128,900. Of the 187 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 27th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,730 | −28.0% |
| 25th | $88,730 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $99,250 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $126,320 | +2.5% |
| 90th | $149,270 | +21.1% |
| Mean | $113,730 | −7.7% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $128,900 | 370 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $99,250 goes as far as $106,377 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$99,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$106,377US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $99,250 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $88,730 to $149,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $128,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial Pilots in Columbus, IN?
The median annual wage is $99,250, 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 Columbus, IN is 19.5% lower. 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 Columbus, IN earns more than $149,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $88,730 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 Indianapolis, at $128,900 per year.
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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