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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the median annual wage for commercial pilots at $123,220 in May 2025. Its separate occupational group for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers had a median of $232,140. These are national wage estimates for different groups—not interchangeable salary figures or a guarantee of what an individual pilot earned.
What is the average salary of a commercial pilot in the U.S.?
The best national benchmark in the available BLS figures is the median: $123,220 a year for commercial pilots in May 2025. A median is the midpoint of the wage distribution: half of workers in the group earned more and half earned less. It is not the arithmetic average, and it does not describe a particular employer’s pay scale.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated August 27, 2026, reports these wage estimates from its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. “2025” here means the estimates refer to May 2025; it does not mean every pilot received that amount throughout the 2025 calendar year. BLS: Airline and Commercial Pilots
Commercial pilot wage distribution
| May 2025 measure | Commercial pilots |
|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $123,220 |
| Lowest 10% threshold | Earned less than $58,850 |
| Highest 10% threshold | Earned more than $266,620 |
The 10th- and 90th-percentile figures mark points in the national wage distribution. They are not set starting and top salaries for every company or career stage.
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How does commercial pilot pay compare with airline pilot pay?
BLS reports a May 2025 median of $232,140 for the combined category “airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.” That group’s median is higher than the commercial-pilot median, but the comparison has an important limit: BLS treats them as different occupational groups. Do not use the airline figure as the pay of every commercial pilot.
| BLS occupation group, May 2025 | Median annual wage | Lowest 10% threshold | Highest 10% threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial pilots | $123,220 | Earned less than $58,850 | Earned more than $266,620 |
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | $232,140 | Earned less than $106,710 | Earned more than $463,830 |
BLS also reports a $210,020 May 2025 median for aircraft pilots and flight engineers overall. That broader group should not be substituted for either of the two categories above. When comparing pilot pay figures, match the occupation, wage measure, reference period, and industry—and use location, employer, seat, seniority, and pay components where those details are available.
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How do industry and job type affect the figures?
Commercial pilot medians vary across selected industries BLS lists. The table shows national May 2025 industry medians, not salaries at individual employers or a ranking of specific companies.
| Selected industry employing commercial pilots | Median annual wage, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Nonscheduled air transportation | $133,150 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $129,610 |
| Support activities for air transportation | $123,090 |
| Other ambulatory healthcare services | $100,330 |
| Private technical and trade schools | $93,820 |
For airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers, BLS’s selected industry medians were:
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| Selected industry | Median annual wage, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Couriers and express delivery services | $334,930 |
| Scheduled air transportation | $293,240 |
| Support activities for transportation | $202,680 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $141,140 |
These are industry-level occupational estimates. They do not establish what a particular employer pays, and differences between industry figures should not be read as a direct employer-by-employer salary comparison.
What affects an airline pilot’s pay and work hours?
BLS says airline pilots typically begin as first officers and receive wage increases as they gain experience and seniority. It also notes that pilots may receive an expense allowance, or “per diem,” for each hour away from home and may earn additional pay for international flights. Pay formulas and compensation components vary; the occupation-wide median is not a total-compensation quote for any one pilot.
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BLS describes airline schedules as variable. Airline pilots average 75 flight hours per month, plus about 150 additional monthly hours on other duties. Flight time alone therefore does not represent all the work hours behind the job.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the salary data not tell you?
The national and industry medians provide useful benchmarks, but they do not establish current 2025 pay at an individual airline by aircraft, seat, or seniority. The figures here also do not provide verified state or metropolitan comparisons. A meaningful estimate for a specific job would require comparable pay information for that location and role, including any applicable allowances or additional pay.
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What training is generally required?
BLS says commercial pilots typically need flight training. Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Both career tracks must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. These are general career requirements, not a promise of employment or of a particular wage.
The FAA provides downloadable training references, including the Airplane Flying Handbook and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. Its Commercial Pilot–Airplane Airman Certification Standards cover the certification process. These resources explain training and certification; they do not estimate salary.
Quick Recap
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