BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Commercial Pilots in Kentucky

$168,100 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$80.82 per hour

▲ 15.1% above U.S. average5th of 48 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$168,100per year
Median$129,990per year
Hourly$80.82per hour
10th – 90th percentile$83,130 – $355,390per year

Commercial Pilots Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$83,130
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$91,570
  • 50th Percentile — Median$129,990
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$193,940
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$355,390

Half of Commercial Pilots in Kentucky earn more than $129,990. The top 10% make $355,390 or more, while entry-level workers start around $83,130.

Commercial Pilots in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 5th of 48 states for Commercial Pilots pay, at $168,100 per year (15.1% above the U.S. average of $146,080).
  • 800 people work as Commercial Pilots in Kentucky — 1.7% of all U.S. Commercial Pilots jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.30: Commercial Pilots jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,130; the top 10% earn over $355,390.
  • Hourly equivalent: $80.82 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $231,650.
  • Among transportation jobs in Kentucky, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($302,340).

Commercial Pilots Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Commercial Pilots here earn $168,100 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $168,100 is roughly equivalent to $202,530 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($231,650), New Jersey ($215,210), California ($202,040) are the closest alternatives for Commercial Pilots weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Commercial Pilots salary in Kentucky?

The average Commercial Pilots salary in Kentucky is $168,100 per year (median $129,990), which is 15.1% above the national average of $146,080.

How does Kentucky rank for Commercial Pilots pay?

Kentucky ranks 5th out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is Connecticut ($231,650/yr).

How much do entry-level Commercial Pilots make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Commercial Pilots in Kentucky earn about $83,130 per year and the 25th percentile is $91,570.

How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in Kentucky?

About $80.82 per hour, based on the $168,100 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Commercial Pilots work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 800 Commercial Pilots jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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