Commercial Pilot

October 30, 2016

Commercial Pilot Job Description

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport rating and certification in specific aircraft type used.

Commercial Pilot Salary Statistics as of 2015

Average annual salary for a Commercial Pilot is $58228 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $160302. The lowest salary reported was $29854. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Median hourly wage for a Commercial Pilot is $28.95 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $79.71. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $14.85. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Bonuses for a Commercial Pilot are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $2300 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $983 from people with under 1 year of experience.

These are the highest paying states for a Commercial Pilot. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
California – $45,781 – $101,736
Florida – $38,312 – $60,000
Georgia – n/a
Michigan – n/a
New Jersey – n/a
New York – $12,255 – $133,273
Washington – n/a

These are the highest paying cities for a Commercial Pilot. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
New York, New York –
Los Angeles, California –
Atlanta, Georgia –
Chicago, Illinois –
Boston, Massachusetts –
Omaha, Nebraska –
Indianapolis, Indiana –

This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Commercial Pilot from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $58228 while in 2007 it was just $53999.62

How To Become a Commercial Pilot

Becoming a commercial pilot is not easy. You need to attend aviation school and take plenty of flying lessons, to ensure that you are a capable pilot. Chances are you will need some sort of in, so that you can get an interview to become a pilot for a commercial airline. Most pilots who are hired have recommendations from the flight school they attended, or someone else who may have airline connections. That is not to say that you will never become a commercial pilot. There are plenty of new airlines that open up, and even current ones expand their fleet regularly. As long as you excel at what you do, you will get the chance to be a commercial pilot.

Being a pilot is not a difficult job, but it is one that requires skill. You need to be 100% focused at all times, as lives depend on what you do. You must also prepare for a life of little stability. You will always be flying from one destination to another. But, if you are prepared for this sort of a life, then being a pilot is the ideal profession for you.

Job Outlook

Gender Statistics

Related Jobs

98%

Based on our stats gathered across the U.S. 98% of Commercial Pilots were males while 2% were females. These numbers are based on averages across all states combined. Some individual states may have a much different ratio however.

Past Jobs

Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer
$39,818 – $283,071
First Officer (Aircraft)
$25,475 – $145,410

Future Jobs

Aircraft Pilot, Corporate Jet
$39,743 – $130,443
Chief Pilot (Aircraft)
$47,538 – $150,724
Commercial Pilot, Non-Jet
$22,890 – $76,129