Average Salary of a Commercial Pilot

A commercial pilot flies aircraft professionally.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a commercial pilot flies fixed or rotary-winged aircraft to transport cargo and passengers. The positions requires flight training, a pilot's license, flight experience and a commercial rating.

Basics

The BLS states that as of May 2009, 50 percent of commercial pilots made a median annual wage of $65,840, with the bottom 10 percent earning $32,520 and the top 10 percent making $120,550.

Industries

The highest paying industries for the profession include aerospace product and parts manufacturing at $106,130 per year, telecommunications carriers at $104,180, spectator sports at $96,250 and scientific research at $92,730.

Location

Location of employment affects compensation for commercial pilots, with Honolulu offering the highest pay at $110,480, followed by Savannah, Gerogia at $108,830 and Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida at $106,710. Georgia also boasts the highest possible salries among all U.S. states at $124,390, followed by Hawaii at $108,220 and New York at $97,320.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Commercial Pilots

Resources

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