SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial Pilots — Texas
Texas · 7 metro areas compared
In Texas the median wage for Commercial Pilots is $137,960 a year, which is 12.0% higher than the national figure of $123,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Texas the median wage for Commercial Pilots is $137,960 a year, which is 12.0% higher than the national figure of $123,220. Half of workers earn between $101,090 and $196,400. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $68,460 and the ninetieth at $259,990.
The area has 4,120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.96 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 48 states with published data for this occupation, Texas ranks 9th by median wage. Midland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $198,480. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 40th of 794 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,460 | −44.4% |
| 25th | $101,090 | −18.0% |
| Median (50th) | $137,960 | +12.0% |
| 75th | $196,400 | +59.4% |
| 90th | $259,990 | +111.0% |
| Mean | $152,090 | +23.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $198,480 | 50 | |
| 2 | Dallas | $160,160 | 1,810 | |
| 3 | Austin | $132,400 | 200 | |
| 4 | Houston | $131,420 | 790 | |
| 5 | San Antonio | $118,190 | 240 | |
| 6 | Corpus Christi | $107,810 | 50 | |
| 7 | El Paso | $94,690 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $137,960 goes as far as $142,080 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$137,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$142,080US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $137,960 a year, 12.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $68,460 to $259,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,120 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Midland, at $198,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial Pilots in Texas?
The median annual wage is $137,960, 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 Texas is 12.0% 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 Texas earns more than $259,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $68,460 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 Midland, at $198,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,120 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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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