Airline pilot salary
BLS occupation: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers · also called pilot · Transportation and material moving · data for May 2025
How much does an airline pilot make?
- The median airline pilot salary in the US is $232,140 a year: half of the 103,560 airline pilots BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $288,650.
- The middle half earn between $182,280 and $384,440. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $106,710 and the top 10% more than $463,830.
- That is 4.6 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Georgia pays airline pilots the most (median $618,090), followed by Idaho ($507,640) and Michigan ($428,570). Missouri pays the least ($97,680).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Georgia, where the median is worth $641,885 in typical US prices, then Idaho and Michigan.
- In all 46 metro areas with data, the median airline pilot salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of airline pilots to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 11,200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what airline pilots are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Airline pilot salary range
Half of airline pilots earn between $182,280 and $384,440 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $106,710 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $182,280 |
| Median | $232,140 |
| Top 25% earn over | $384,440 |
| Top 10% earn over | $463,830 |
Airline pilot salary by state
Georgia pays airline pilots the most; Missouri the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($232,140), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $618,090 median |
| Idaho | $507,640 median |
| Michigan | $428,570 median |
| California | $353,900 median |
| Kentucky | $350,950 median |
| Colorado | $307,490 median |
| Illinois | $293,490 median |
| New York | $255,240 median |
| Alaska | $232,140 median |
| Washington | $229,900 median |
| Arizona | $227,870 median |
| Florida | $225,020 median |
| Texas | $215,150 median |
| Minnesota | $211,470 median |
| Ohio | $204,170 median |
| Connecticut | $199,870 median |
| Nevada | $192,460 median |
| Utah | $174,590 median |
| Oregon | $173,190 median |
| Indiana | $171,260 median |
| Arkansas | $168,970 median |
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 median |
| Rhode Island | $164,880 median |
| North Carolina | $151,540 median |
| Maine | $147,930 median |
| Kansas | $143,580 median |
| Mississippi | $143,580 median |
| South Carolina | $143,580 median |
| Tennessee | $143,580 median |
| Alabama | $136,990 median |
| New Mexico | $136,990 median |
| Oklahoma | $133,680 median |
| Iowa | $131,730 median |
| Nebraska | $131,650 median |
| Louisiana | $120,740 median |
| New Hampshire | $99,280 median |
| Missouri | $97,680 median |
Where airline pilot pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Airline pilots' pay goes furthest in Georgia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $641,885 |
| Idaho | $531,594 |
| Michigan | $445,420 |
| Kentucky | $389,257 |
| California | $319,635 |
| Colorado | $298,383 |
| Illinois | $293,613 |
| New York | $236,506 |
| Alaska | $226,790 |
| Arizona | $226,338 |
Airline pilot pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $618,090 | $187,570 | $642,610 | 8,770 | $641,885 |
| Idaho | $507,640 | $120,740 | $507,910 | 330 | $531,594 |
| Michigan | $428,570 | $181,880 | $428,570 | – | $445,420 |
| California | $353,900 | $179,270 | $427,660 | 10,670 | $319,635 |
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $182,780 | $407,760 | 6,260 | $389,257 |
| Colorado | $307,490 | $189,150 | $377,860 | 5,830 | $298,383 |
| Illinois | $293,490 | $166,620 | $421,610 | 6,460 | $293,613 |
| New York | $255,240 | $101,390 | $475,690 | 6,900 | $236,506 |
| Alaska | $232,140 | $59,130 | $369,150 | 1,350 | $226,790 |
| Washington | $229,900 | $140,780 | $529,820 | 3,450 | $214,834 |
| Arizona | $227,870 | $96,380 | $344,080 | 2,200 | $226,338 |
| Florida | $225,020 | $121,240 | $356,680 | 7,760 | $217,591 |
| Texas | $215,150 | $92,370 | $456,570 | 10,930 | $221,674 |
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $128,070 | $353,410 | 2,960 | $214,427 |
| Ohio | $204,170 | $100,300 | $406,110 | 1,550 | $220,072 |
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $94,130 | $530,080 | 80 | $192,906 |
| Nevada | $192,460 | $90,890 | $293,240 | 2,160 | $192,500 |
| Utah | $174,590 | $108,270 | $433,330 | 1,880 | $176,596 |
| Oregon | $173,190 | $100,260 | $424,850 | 750 | $167,558 |
| Indiana | $171,260 | $83,680 | $338,390 | – | $183,501 |
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $124,990 | $170,960 | 250 | $194,359 |
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $88,090 | $369,300 | 2,270 | $169,096 |
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $93,300 | $286,150 | 40 | $161,205 |
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $97,700 | $206,700 | 2,240 | $160,656 |
| Maine | $147,930 | $96,630 | $354,100 | 40 | $152,427 |
| Kansas | $143,580 | $85,860 | $205,580 | 80 | $159,413 |
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $112,420 | $177,110 | 360 | $165,124 |
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $97,070 | $227,550 | 110 | $153,154 |
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $109,760 | $172,390 | 110 | $156,286 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | $108,890 | $176,620 | 360 | $154,228 |
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $117,080 | $172,330 | 50 | $148,560 |
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $119,230 | $184,790 | 180 | $152,181 |
| Iowa | $131,730 | $64,100 | $201,080 | 100 | $150,099 |
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $59,400 | $233,970 | 60 | $146,111 |
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $74,700 | $251,190 | 150 | $136,883 |
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $74,130 | $321,250 | 50 | $95,310 |
| Missouri | $97,680 | $60,920 | $172,330 | 120 | $107,557 |
BLS does not publish pay for airline pilots in 14 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Airline pilot salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes airline pilot pay: 46 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Atlanta, GA $618,090
- Boise, ID $507,640
- Detroit, MI $428,570
- San Francisco, CA $374,680
- Los Angeles, CA $364,730
- Cincinnati, OH $350,950
- San Jose, CA $343,140
- New York, NY $335,270
- San Diego, CA $321,950
- Houston, TX $307,690
Where the pay goes furthest
- Atlanta, GA $617,732
- Boise, ID $515,941
- Detroit, MI $427,297
- Cincinnati, OH $367,988
- San Francisco, CA $324,081
- Los Angeles, CA $321,161
- Houston, TX $311,967
- San Jose, CA $310,750
- New York, NY $297,851
- Denver, CO $290,683
All 46 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $618,090 | 8,700 | $617,732 | 4% |
| Boise, ID | $507,640 | – | $515,941 | 5% |
| Detroit, MI | $428,570 | – | $427,297 | 4% |
| San Francisco, CA | $374,680 | 2,900 | $324,081 | 11% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $364,730 | 6,710 | $321,161 | 10% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $350,950 | 3,330 | $367,988 | 5% |
| San Jose, CA | $343,140 | 50 | $310,750 | 13% |
| New York, NY | $335,270 | 10,030 | $297,851 | 13% |
| San Diego, CA | $321,950 | 340 | $287,746 | 11% |
| Houston, TX | $307,690 | 4,160 | $311,967 | 6% |
| Denver, CO | $307,490 | 5,600 | $290,683 | 7% |
| Chicago, IL | $293,490 | 6,360 | $283,305 | 9% |
| Anchorage, AK | $232,240 | 1,270 | $220,300 | 10% |
| Seattle, WA | $229,900 | 3,340 | $206,869 | 12% |
| Tampa, FL | $229,490 | 180 | $227,466 | 10% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $228,040 | 2,100 | $220,721 | 9% |
| Spokane, WA | $219,330 | – | $218,574 | 8% |
| Miami, FL | $216,070 | 4,810 | $189,278 | 15% |
| Dallas, TX | $212,810 | 5,980 | $206,431 | 9% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $211,470 | 2,940 | $201,742 | 10% |
| Austin, TX | $210,750 | 150 | $214,906 | 9% |
| Washington, DC | $209,750 | 5,100 | $192,636 | 14% |
| Lexington, KY | $208,770 | – | $224,752 | 9% |
| Riverside, CA | $207,000 | 160 | $194,472 | 15% |
| Tucson, AZ | $206,050 | 60 | $212,651 | 9% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $204,340 | 2,070 | $203,902 | 10% |
| Hartford, CT | $199,870 | 70 | $194,528 | 12% |
| Fresno, CA | $195,310 | 80 | $191,184 | 13% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $180,330 | 1,760 | $175,839 | 13% |
| Mobile, AL | $176,620 | 30 | $200,481 | 9% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $174,940 | 1,740 | $173,435 | 11% |
| Portland, OR | $173,190 | 670 | $164,284 | 12% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $171,260 | – | $178,963 | 11% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $170,960 | 40 | $199,050 | 8% |
| Provo, UT | $165,590 | 70 | $168,570 | 13% |
| Providence, RI | $164,480 | 50 | $161,615 | 16% |
| Akron, OH | $161,720 | 40 | $173,203 | 10% |
| Des Moines, IA | $160,990 | 60 | $175,560 | 10% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $153,940 | 90 | $170,273 | 11% |
| Charlotte, NC | $151,540 | 2,090 | $155,668 | 14% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $151,070 | 120 | $151,854 | 13% |
| Nashville, TN | $143,580 | 60 | $149,038 | 15% |
| Little Rock, AR | $130,750 | 50 | $146,312 | 11% |
| Richmond, VA | $130,100 | 50 | $132,948 | 16% |
| Pensacola, FL | $122,210 | 90 | $125,065 | 17% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $112,260 | 80 | $125,412 | 14% |
What the median airline pilot salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $232,140 |
| Month | $19,345 |
| Every two weeks | $8,928 |
| Week | $4,464 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an airline pilot: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +8.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 11,200 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Truck driver | $58,640 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Train conductor | $78,000 | High school diploma |
| Air traffic controller | $148,080 | Associate's degree |
| Flight attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma |
| Forklift operator | $46,420 | No formal education |
| Warehouse worker | $40,240 | No formal education |
| Bus driver | $59,050 | High school diploma |
| School bus driver | $47,920 | High school diploma |
Questions about airline pilot pay
How much does an airline pilot make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for airline pilots, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $232,140 a year.
How much does an airline pilot make a month?
About $19,345 a month before taxes at the median salary of $232,140, or $8,928 every two weeks.
What state pays airline pilots the most?
Georgia, with a median of $618,090. Idaho ($507,640), Michigan ($428,570), California ($353,900) and Kentucky ($350,950) follow.
Where do airline pilots make the most after cost of living?
Georgia: its median of $618,090 is worth $641,885 at typical US prices. Idaho, Michigan and Kentucky come next.
How much do entry-level airline pilots make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of airline pilots earn under $106,710 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $182,280, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an airline pilot?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: less than 5 years. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 53-2011 (Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.