Commercial Pilots Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,370
- 50th Percentile — Median$126,100
- 75th Percentile — Senior$200,440
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$376,830
Half of Commercial Pilots in Illinois earn more than $126,100. The top 10% make $376,830 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,890.
Commercial Pilots in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 8th of 48 states for Commercial Pilots pay, at $157,600 per year (7.9% above the U.S. average of $146,080).
- 1,170 people work as Commercial Pilots in Illinois — 2.5% of all U.S. Commercial Pilots jobs.
- Location quotient 0.63: Commercial Pilots jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,890; the top 10% earn over $376,830.
- Hourly equivalent: $75.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $231,650.
- Among transportation jobs in Illinois, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($316,140).
Commercial Pilots Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Commercial Pilots here earn $157,600 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $157,600 is roughly equivalent to $150,095 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($184,580), Kentucky ($168,100), Delaware ($160,700) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $316,140/yr Illinois +100.6% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $164,200/yr Illinois +4.2% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $102,480/yr Illinois 35.0% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $83,930/yr Illinois 46.7% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $69,780/yr Illinois 55.7% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,430/yr Illinois 60.4% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,300/yr Illinois 66.2% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $49,550/yr Illinois 68.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Commercial Pilots salary in Illinois?
The average Commercial Pilots salary in Illinois is $157,600 per year (median $126,100), which is 7.9% above the national average of $146,080.
How does Illinois rank for Commercial Pilots pay?
Illinois ranks 8th out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is Connecticut ($231,650/yr).
How much do entry-level Commercial Pilots make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Commercial Pilots in Illinois earn about $51,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,370.
How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in Illinois?
About $75.77 per hour, based on the $157,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Commercial Pilots work in Illinois?
BLS counts 1,170 Commercial Pilots jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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