Commercial Pilots
SOC 53-2012 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Commercial Pilots is $113,080, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $138,010, and an estimated 52,750 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +21.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +2.9% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 5.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Commercial Pilots has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $113,080 | $113,080 | 52,750 |
| 2022 | $103,910 | $108,187 | 48,750 |
| 2021 | $99,640 | $112,044 | 42,770 |
| 2020 | $93,300 | $109,843 | 37,120 |
Nominal change
+21.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+2.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5.1%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
55,400
Projected 2034
58,300
Annual Openings
6,600
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Commercial Pilots earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $113,080. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $214,670 | +89.8% | 390 |
| Delaware | $179,390 | +58.6% | 170 |
| Texas | $168,240 | +48.8% | 6,360 |
| New York | $162,450 | +43.7% | 1,190 |
| Georgia | $134,670 | +19.1% | 1,200 |
| Missouri | $128,640 | +13.8% | 1,020 |
| Florida | $128,600 | +13.7% | 5,830 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $127,960 | +13.2% | 80 |
| Louisiana | $127,180 | +12.5% | 950 |
| Maryland | $126,600 | +12% | 470 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$56,260
25th Pct
$79,440
Median
$113,080
75th Pct
$168,700
90th Pct
—
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRANS-EXEC AIR SERVICE INC | CA | 2 | $180,000 |
| Mike Goulian Aviation | MA | 1 | $66,830 |
| Global Jetcare, Inc | FL | 1 | $114,017 |
| WPL, LLC. | FL | 1 | $165,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Transportation & Material Moving
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.