Compensation
Median Pay
$123,220
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Commercial pilots
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$123,220
Projected Growth
5.1%
Annual Openings
6,600
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
55,400
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
5.1%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
6,600
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Detail oriented
97 / 100
97%
Problem solving & decision making
96 / 100
96%
Adaptability
95 / 100
95%
Mechanical
92 / 100
92%
Project management
83 / 100
83%
Critical & analytical thinking
80 / 100
80%
Leadership
77 / 100
77%
Science
76 / 100
76%
Fine motor
75 / 100
75%
Mathematics
62 / 100
62%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Commercial Pilots
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Commercial pilots a Good Career?
Commercial pilots operate in a field that combines technical skill, precision, and responsibility with a clearly defined professional path. Nationally, this occupation has 55,000 employed workers and a projected employment growth rate of 5.1%, supported by an estimated 7,000 annual openings. This combination suggests ongoing movement in and out of the field, creating chances for both new entrants and experienced pilots seeking new roles. The national median annual salary of $122,670 reflects the advanced skill set required, including strong decision making, critical thinking, and fine motor abilities. Top states and metro areas show even higher median pay and notable opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple geographic options to consider. For individuals who are detail oriented, comfortable solving problems, and interested in a technically demanding career that values leadership and adaptability, commercial piloting offers a structured, skill-intensive route with measurable employment and earnings potential.
Commercial Pilots Salary
The national median annual salary for commercial pilots is $122,670, indicating strong earning potential. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states, New York shows a median salary of $177,430 and California $165,590, both well above the national median, while Colorado, Washington, and Virginia range from $104,890 to $139,680. At the metro level, some areas stand out even more. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro lists a median salary of $225,900, and the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont metro reaches $173,070. Other leading metros such as San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria also report median salaries above $120,000. This variation suggests that pilots open to specific high-paying metros or states may access higher compensation, while still benefiting from solid national median pay across the occupation.
Job Outlook for Commercial Pilots
Commercial pilots show a national employment level of 55,000, with projected employment growth of 5.1%. This projected increase, paired with 7,000 annual openings, indicates a steady flow of opportunities. The number of annual openings is sizable relative to the current employment base, suggesting ongoing demand for new and replacement workers. The 5.1% growth rate is consistent across the listed top states and metro areas, which can help candidates plan without needing to account for large regional differences in projected growth within these highlighted locations. For students and career changers, the combination of established employment, a defined growth projection, and a clear estimate of yearly openings offers a quantifiable picture of opportunity. While conditions can vary by employer and region, the available data points to a career path with continuing hiring needs over the projection period.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Commercial Pilots?
Geography plays a meaningful role in opportunity for commercial pilots, both by state and by metro area. Among states, California and New York stand out with high median salaries—$165,590 and $177,430, respectively—and strong CareerGPS opportunity scores of 67.38 and 65.78. Colorado, Washington, and Virginia offer median pay from $104,890 to $139,680 and opportunity scores between 54.96 and 56.97, pairing solid earnings with measurable opportunity. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro shows a median salary of $225,900 and an opportunity score of 77.27, while San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara reports a 77.42 opportunity score and $159,420 median pay. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue also combine six-figure median salaries with opportunity scores above 60. Candidates comparing locations can weigh higher salaries and scores in these metros against personal preferences and cost-of-living considerations not reflected in these figures.
Education for Commercial Pilots
The typical education requirement for commercial pilots is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means most entrants complete formal education beyond high school without necessarily earning a full degree. Within this educational path, several key skill areas are especially relevant. Being detail oriented and having strong problem solving and decision-making abilities support the precision and judgment needed in this role. Mechanical skills, fine motor skills, and mathematics are also central, reflecting the technical and quantitative aspects of piloting work. Critical and analytical thinking, along with adaptability, help pilots respond effectively to changing conditions and complex situations. Leadership and project management skills support coordination and oversight responsibilities, while a grounding in science complements the technical environment. Individuals who develop this mix of education and skills align themselves well with the expectations of the occupation. Related fields such as respiratory therapists, ship officers and engineers, construction supervisors, and anesthesiologists can serve as alternative paths for those with overlapping interests.
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