📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Commercial Pilot Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$113,904
per year
Median
$104,244
per year
Hourly
$54.76
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,632
25th Percentile — Junior$86,184
50th Percentile — Median$104,244
75th Percentile — Senior$148,176
90th Percentile — Top Earners$174,344
💡 Top-earning Commercial Pilots in Illinois make up to $174,344 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$94.5k
2021
$98.1k
2022
$101.8k
2023
$105.7k
2024
$109.7k
2025
$113.9k
2026
📈 Commercial Pilot salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.8% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Commercial Pilot Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $127,572 +12.0% High
Aurora $116,182 +2.0% High
🔍
Commercial Pilot Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Commercial Pilots. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $113,904 per year, Illinois's Commercial Pilot salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $58,632–$86,184, while experienced Commercial Pilots can command $148,176–$174,344.

Looking ahead, the Commercial Pilot profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Commercial Pilot salary in Illinois is $113,904 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $108,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Commercial Pilots the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Commercial Pilot employment.
  • At $113,904/year, Illinois Commercial Pilot salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $108,480/year.