Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Top skills:Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringMonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Commercial Pilot pay by experience level
Entry level$61,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$87,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$127,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$197,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$276,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
6,600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Commercial Pilot salary by industry
Air Transportation
19,530 workers
$173,000
Nonscheduled Air Transportation
18,580 workers
$171,000
Educational Services
6,470 workers
$109,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
6,150 workers
$110,000
Technical and Trade Schools
6,010 workers
$108,500
Ambulatory Health Care Services
5,190 workers
$125,000
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services
5,150 workers
$125,000
Support Activities for Transportation
4,310 workers
$144,000
Support Activities for Air Transportation
4,210 workers
$144,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,720 workers
$145,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Commercial Pilot pays 119% above the average across 53 roles in the Transportation and Material Moving job family (family average $69,000).
Similar-paying roles in Transportation and Material Moving
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Commercial Pilot make?
The average base salary for a Commercial Pilot in the United States is $151,000 per year, or about $72.60 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $87,500 and $197,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Transportation and Material Moving roles?
The Transportation and Material Moving job family averages $69,000 across 53 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Commercial Pilot pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
