Commercial Pilots Salary in California
Commercial Pilots in California earn a median annual wage of $165,590 —34.4% above the national median of $123,220. That ranks CA #4 of 48 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.88×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
All 48 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $232,160 | — | 460 | 0.89 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $226,710 | — | 670 | 0.51 |
| 3 | New York | $177,430 | — | 1,070 | 0.36 |
| 4 | California | $165,590 | — | 4,900 | 0.88 |
| 5 | Delaware | $163,600 | — | 220 | 1.49 |
| 6 | Ohio | $150,330 | — | 2,680 | 1.58 |
| 7 | Georgia | $145,100 | — | 1,020 | 0.68 |
| 8 | Colorado | $139,680 | — | 1,240 | 1.40 |
| 9 | Texas | $137,960 | — | 4,120 | 0.96 |
| 10 | Vermont | $137,810 | — | 40 | 0.40 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $40,240 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $37,330 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $58,640 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 | $44,860 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $46,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $62,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial pilots make in California?
The median annual wage for commercial pilots in California is $165,590, or — per hour. That is 34.4% above the national median of $123,220.
What is the entry-level commercial pilots salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $63,890 per year (—/hour). The 25th percentile is $85,020.
How many people work as commercial pilots in California?
About 4,900 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for commercial pilots?
California ranks #4 of 48 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.88x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays commercial pilots the most?
Connecticut has the highest median wage at $232,160 per year, followed by New Jersey ($226,710) and New York ($177,430).