Occupation Salary Profile

Commercial Pilots

SOC Code: 53-2012

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. Excludes “Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians” (17-3024).

National Median (BLS)
$100,810
▲ +1.81% Nominal ▼ -1.41% Real
H-1B Sponsor Median
$130,000
▲ +3.17% Nominal +0.04% Real
Average Base Salary
$106,700
Domestic Mean Pay
Total U.S. Employment
610
Active Positions (BLS)
Highest Paying State Calculating…
Highest Employment State Calculating…
Highest Paying Metro Calculating…

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National Baseline Wage Distribution

Empirical wage tiers reported across all 50 states by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Commercial Pilots.

Percentile Tier Annual Base Salary
10th Percentile $50,780
25th Percentile $73,300
National Median (50th Percentile) $100,810
75th Percentile $128,290
90th Percentile $166,100
P10: $50,780 P50 (Median): $100,810 P90: $166,100
Foreign Talent Market

H-1B Visa Sponsor Compensation Benchmarks

Based on 34 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed by U.S. employers (Trailing 12 Months vs Prior 12 Months).

H-1B National Median $130,000
YoY Nominal Growth (T12M) ▲ +3.17%
Real Wage Growth (CPI-U Adj) ▲ +0.04%
H-1B Percentile Tier Sponsored Base Salary
10th Percentile $66,849
25th Percentile $75,000
H-1B Median (50th Percentile) $130,000
75th Percentile $151,350
90th Percentile $167,879
H-1B P10: $66,849 H-1B P50: $130,000 H-1B P90: $167,879
💡 Market Premium Insight: The median salary for foreign talent sponsored for Commercial Pilots roles ($130,000) is +29% higher than the broader domestic BLS national median ($100,810).