The median pay for Commercial Pilots is $123,220 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.2% through 2035, with about 5,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 53-2012
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Commercial Pilot in four numbers
- Median pay
- $123,220a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $59KTop 10% $267K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.2%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,20050,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202550.4K
- Projected 203553K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 50.4K Projected 2035 53K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school15.1%
- High school28.6%
- Certificate36.4%
- Some college16.9%
- Associate's1.1%
- Post-bacc certificate1.2%
Highest education held by commercial pilots Segment Value Less than high school 15.1% High school 28.6% Certificate 36.4% Some college 16.9% Associate's 1.1% Post-bacc certificate 1.2%
Also advertised as: Captain, Charter Pilot, Check Airman, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Pilot, EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot).
Pay
How much do Commercial Pilots make?
Every commercial pilot in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$123,220
Middle half earn $84,540 to $190,440
- 10th
- $58,850
- 25th
- $84,540
- 75th
- $190,440
- 90th
- $266,620
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,850 |
| 25th | $84,540 |
| Median | $123,220 |
| 75th | $190,440 |
| 90th | $266,620 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $123,220
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $146,080
- People employed
- 47,630
Versus all US occupations
At $123,220, Commercial Pilots earn 142% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $72,240 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 96% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $266,620 or more while the bottom 10% earn $58,850, a gap of 4.5×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 86% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Connecticut pays the most at $232,160, and still leads at $224,071 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Commercial Pilots the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Connecticut | $232,160 | $224,071 | 460 |
| 2New Jersey | $226,710 | $208,364 | 670 |
| 3New York | $177,430 | $164,407 | 1,070 |
| 4California | $165,590 | $149,557 | 4,900 |
| 5Delaware | $163,600 | $163,915 | 220 |
| 6Ohio | $150,330 | $162,039 | 2,680 |
| 7Georgia | $145,100 | $150,686 | 1,020 |
| 8Colorado | $139,680 | $135,543 | 1,240 |
| 9Texas | $137,960 | $142,143 | 4,120 |
| 10Vermont | $137,810 | $140,683 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Commercial Pilot a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Commercial Pilots | +5.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Commercial Pilots to change 5.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,200 openings are projected each year, 10.3% of the 50,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued demand for private chartered flights is expected to sustain job growth for commercial pilots.
Getting in
How to become a Commercial Pilot
Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training, and some employers may require or prefer them to have a degree.
Airline and commercial pilots also must have specific certificates and ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as commercial pilots.
- Post-Secondary Certificate36.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)28.6%
- Some College Courses16.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma15.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate1.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 36.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 28.6% |
| Some College Courses | 16.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 15.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Commercial Pilot do?
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
Day-to-day tasks
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
- Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
- Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off. Flight assignments are based on seniority. Seniority enables pilots who have worked at a company for a long time to get preferred routes and schedules.
Airline pilots may spend several nights a week away from home because flight assignments often involve overnight layovers. When pilots are away from home, the airlines typically provide hotel accommodations, transportation to the airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where commercial pilots work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Scheduled air transportation88%
- Couriers and express delivery services5%
- Federal government, excluding postal service3%
- Support activities for transportation2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scheduled air transportation | 88% |
| Couriers and express delivery services | 5% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 3% |
| Support activities for transportation | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring4.1
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Active Learning3.6
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Writing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control4.8
- Operations Monitoring4.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Coordination3.3
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.8 |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Aviation ground support software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Charting software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
- Flight control software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Map creation software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Commercial Pilot?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Commercial Pilot |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional4.8
- Realistic4.8
- Enterprising3.9
- Social2.6
- Investigative2.5
- Artistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Commercial Pilot
O*NET related occupations
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
More transportation and material moving careers
Median annual pay, with commercial pilots highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$46,420
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within commercial pilot
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Commercial Pilot: frequently asked questions
How much do Commercial Pilots make?
Commercial Pilots earn a median of $123,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 142% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $84,540 and $190,440. The top 10% earn $266,620 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Commercial Pilot?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Commercial Pilots. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 36.4% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Commercial Pilot a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.2% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Commercial Pilot do?
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. A core O*NET task: check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly. Employers most often ask for Graphics or photo imaging software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Commercial Pilots the most?
The highest state medians for Commercial Pilots are Connecticut ($232,160), New Jersey ($226,710), New York ($177,430) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Commercial Pilot?
O*NET scores Commercial Pilots highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.