Pilot earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level pilot earnings begin at:

$79.00 per hour

$164,320 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$76.50 per hour

$159,120 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level pilot earnings begin at:

$56.11 per hour

$116,710 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level pilot earnings begin at:

$48.00 per hour

$99,830 per year

10th percentile

Starting level pilot earnings begin at:

$38.61 per hour

$80,300 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Pilot salary by state

State Name Average Salary
South Carolina $98,280
Wisconsin $87,820
Wyoming $80,630
Maine $76,470
Montana $49,660
Puerto Rico $47,280
Florida $232,600
California $227,870
Washington $222,340
Nevada $220,400
New York $219,980
Michigan $214,640
Texas $210,160
Virginia $206,690
Georgia $205,610
Idaho $202,430
Ohio $201,720
North Carolina $172,960
Arizona $169,410
Illinois $169,410
New Mexico $138,260
Alaska $130,200
Connecticut $129,940
Colorado $128,420
Arkansas $126,470
Oregon $119,670
Louisiana $116,710
North Dakota $116,470
Alabama $113,630
Mississippi $111,260
Oklahoma $111,260
New Hampshire $111,150
Indiana $109,680
Kansas $108,580
Iowa $105,810
Nebraska $104,900
Missouri $104,410
West Virginia $103,810
Pennsylvania $102,950
Minnesota $100,550
Utah $100,450
Tennessee $100,190

How do pilot salaries compare to similar careers?

Pilots earn 15% more than similar careers in Louisiana.

Career Median Salary
Ship captain salary $99K
Shipmate salary $99K
Commercial pilot salary $80K
Air traffic controller salary $87K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)