Commercial Pilots Salary (2025)
Based on 47,630 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $58,850 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $84,540 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $123,220 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $190,440 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $266,620 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$59K
25th
$85K
Median
$123K
75th
$190K
90th
$267K
Highest Paying States for Commercial Pilots
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $231,650 |
| New Jersey | $215,210 |
| California | $202,040 |
| New York | $184,580 |
| Kentucky | $168,100 |
| Delaware | $160,700 |
| North Dakota | $157,900 |
| Illinois | $157,600 |
| Wisconsin | $156,970 |
| Colorado | $152,820 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Commercial Pilots salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Connecticut at an average of $231,650 per year, while Colorado has an average of $152,820 — a difference of $78,830. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Commercial Pilots
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 47,630 workers were employed as Commercial Pilotss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $146,080 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-2012