SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial Pilots — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Commercial Pilots in Columbus, OH is $175,690 per year, well above 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, OH is $175,690 per year, well above the national median of $123,220. The gap of 42.6% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $60,300 at the tenth percentile to more than $216,270 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $92,980 to $216,270.
Employment stands at 1,410, or 1.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Cleveland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $166,520. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 12th of 611 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,300 | −51.1% |
| 25th | $92,980 | −24.5% |
| Median (50th) | $175,690 | +42.6% |
| 75th | $216,270 | +75.5% |
| 90th | $216,270 | +75.5% |
| Mean | $153,240 | +24.4% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $166,520 | 600 | |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $130,230 | 190 | |
| 3 | Dayton | $120,910 | 70 | |
| 4 | Akron | $84,170 | 80 | |
| 5 | Toledo | $61,080 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $175,690 goes as far as $189,321 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 53.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$175,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$189,321US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $175,690 a year, 42.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,300 to $216,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cleveland, at $166,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial Pilots in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $175,690, 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, OH is 42.6% 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 Columbus, OH earns more than $216,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,300 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 Cleveland, at $166,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,410 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. 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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