Commercial Pilots Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$85,020
- 50th Percentile — Median$165,590
- 75th Percentile — Senior$278,940
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$500,170
Half of Commercial Pilots in California earn more than $165,590. The top 10% make $500,170 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,890.
Commercial Pilots in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 48 states for Commercial Pilots pay, at $202,040 per year (38.3% above the U.S. average of $146,080).
- 4,900 people work as Commercial Pilots in California — 10.3% of all U.S. Commercial Pilots jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Commercial Pilots jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,890; the top 10% earn over $500,170.
- Hourly equivalent: $97.13 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $231,650.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($310,190).
Commercial Pilots Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Commercial Pilots here earn $202,040 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $202,040 is roughly equivalent to $142,282 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($231,650), New Jersey ($215,210), New York ($184,580) are the closest alternatives for Commercial Pilots weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $310,190/yr California +53.5% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $156,910/yr California 22.3% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $129,580/yr California 35.9% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California 56.2% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $75,600/yr California 62.6% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California 69.3% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California 73.6% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $50,360/yr California 75.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Commercial Pilots salary in California?
The average Commercial Pilots salary in California is $202,040 per year (median $165,590), which is 38.3% above the national average of $146,080.
How does California rank for Commercial Pilots pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is Connecticut ($231,650/yr).
How much do entry-level Commercial Pilots make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Commercial Pilots in California earn about $63,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $85,020.
How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in California?
About $97.13 per hour, based on the $202,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Commercial Pilots work in California?
BLS counts 4,900 Commercial Pilots jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data