Commercial Pilot Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $168,144 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $164,890 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $154,042 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $149,702 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $143,194 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $141,024 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $138,854 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $135,600 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $132,346 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $124,752 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $124,752 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $123,667 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $121,498 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $119,328 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $119,328 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $117,158 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $113,904 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $113,904 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $110,650 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $110,650 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $108,480 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $108,480 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $107,395 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $107,395 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $106,310 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $103,056 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $103,056 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $100,886 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $100,886 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $100,886 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $99,802 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $99,802 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $98,717 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $97,632 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $95,462 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $94,378 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $94,378 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $94,378 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $93,293 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $92,208 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $92,208 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $91,123 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $90,038 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $90,038 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $86,784 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $84,614 | -22.0% | High |
A Commercial Pilot's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Commercial Pilots typically earn $55,840–$82,080 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $141,120–$166,042 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Commercial Pilot role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Transportation sector.
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What is the average salary for a Commercial Pilot?The average salary for a Commercial Pilot in the United States is $108,480 per year, with a median of $99,280.
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What is the starting salary for a Commercial Pilot?Entry-level Commercial Pilots typically earn between $55,840 and $82,080 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Commercial Pilots the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Commercial Pilots the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Commercial Pilot make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $108,480, a Commercial Pilot earns approximately $52.15 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Commercial Pilot a good career in 2026?Yes — the Commercial Pilot role has high demand with 3.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.