Airline Pilot Salary Overview
The Airline Pilot is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $211,790. Compensation typically ranges from $98,800 for entry-level positions to $350,000 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Airline Pilot in the US earns between $98,800 and $350,000 per year, with a median of $211,790.
Airline Pilot Salary by Experience
Entry-level airline pilots earn around $137,664, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $285,916 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $141,899 | $68/hr | $98,407 |
| Mid | $211,790 | $102/hr | $141,784 |
| Senior | $285,916 | $137/hr | $182,983 |
| Lead | $317,685 | $153/hr | $199,932 |
Airline Pilot Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Airline Pilot in each US state.
Pay for airline pilots varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,424 | $14,095 | $147,194 | 30.5% |
| Alaska | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| Arizona | $211,790 | $40,077 | $4,930 | $14,095 | $152,688 | 27.9% |
| Arkansas | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,093 | $14,095 | $148,526 | 29.9% |
| California | $211,790 | $40,077 | $15,834 | $14,095 | $141,784 | 33.1% |
| Colorado | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,659 | $14,095 | $148,959 | 29.7% |
| Connecticut | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,516 | $14,095 | $146,102 | 31.0% |
| Delaware | $211,790 | $40,077 | $12,747 | $14,095 | $144,871 | 31.6% |
| District of Columbia | $211,790 | $40,077 | $15,161 | $14,095 | $142,457 | 32.7% |
| Florida | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| Georgia | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,968 | $14,095 | $146,650 | 30.8% |
| Hawaii | $211,790 | $40,077 | $17,434 | $14,095 | $140,185 | 33.8% |
| Idaho | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,437 | $14,095 | $146,181 | 31.0% |
| Illinois | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,346 | $14,095 | $147,272 | 30.5% |
| Indiana | $211,790 | $40,077 | $6,460 | $14,095 | $151,159 | 28.6% |
| Iowa | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,048 | $14,095 | $149,570 | 29.4% |
| Kansas | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,415 | $14,095 | $146,203 | 31.0% |
| Kentucky | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,345 | $14,095 | $149,273 | 29.5% |
| Louisiana | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,420 | $14,095 | $149,198 | 29.6% |
| Maine | $211,790 | $40,077 | $13,605 | $14,095 | $144,013 | 32.0% |
| Maryland | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,518 | $14,095 | $147,100 | 30.5% |
| Massachusetts | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,370 | $14,095 | $147,249 | 30.5% |
| Michigan | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,763 | $14,095 | $148,855 | 29.7% |
| Minnesota | $211,790 | $40,077 | $14,206 | $14,095 | $143,412 | 32.3% |
| Mississippi | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,376 | $14,095 | $148,242 | 30.0% |
| Missouri | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,295 | $14,095 | $148,323 | 30.0% |
| Montana | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,388 | $14,095 | $146,230 | 31.0% |
| Nebraska | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,848 | $14,095 | $146,770 | 30.7% |
| Nevada | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| New Hampshire | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| New Jersey | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,365 | $14,095 | $146,253 | 30.9% |
| New Mexico | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,383 | $14,095 | $148,235 | 30.0% |
| New York | $211,790 | $40,077 | $12,201 | $14,095 | $145,418 | 31.3% |
| North Carolina | $211,790 | $40,077 | $8,957 | $14,095 | $148,661 | 29.8% |
| North Dakota | $211,790 | $40,077 | $3,845 | $14,095 | $153,773 | 27.4% |
| Ohio | $211,790 | $40,077 | $5,943 | $14,095 | $151,676 | 28.4% |
| Oklahoma | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,570 | $14,095 | $148,048 | 30.1% |
| Oregon | $211,790 | $40,077 | $18,973 | $14,095 | $138,645 | 34.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $211,790 | $40,077 | $6,502 | $14,095 | $151,116 | 28.6% |
| Rhode Island | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,250 | $14,095 | $148,369 | 29.9% |
| South Carolina | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,927 | $14,095 | $145,691 | 31.2% |
| South Dakota | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| Tennessee | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| Texas | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| Utah | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,848 | $14,095 | $147,770 | 30.2% |
| Vermont | $211,790 | $40,077 | $12,984 | $14,095 | $144,634 | 31.7% |
| Virginia | $211,790 | $40,077 | $11,662 | $14,095 | $145,956 | 31.1% |
| Washington | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
| West Virginia | $211,790 | $40,077 | $9,955 | $14,095 | $147,663 | 30.3% |
| Wisconsin | $211,790 | $40,077 | $10,137 | $14,095 | $147,481 | 30.4% |
| Wyoming | $211,790 | $40,077 | $0 | $14,095 | $157,618 | 25.6% |
Top Cities for Airline Pilot Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for airline pilots tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $232,969 |
| New York, NY | $232,969 |
| Chicago, IL | $232,969 |
| Dallas, TX | $232,969 |
| Atlanta, GA | $232,969 |
Calculate Airline Pilot Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Airline Pilot
Becoming a airline pilot typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Airline Pilot Career Outlook
Employment of airline pilots is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Airline Pilot Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for airline pilots in the US is $211,790, with a typical range from $98,800 to $350,000 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for airline pilots include CA, NY, IL. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level airline pilots can expect to earn around $137,664 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a airline pilot can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for airline pilots is approximately $101.82, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.