✈️ Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot Salary in United States

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot in United States.

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Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +6%
$215,000
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $103.36/hr
📊 80% Range: $110,000 – $385,000
10th % Entry $110,000
25th % Junior $162,500
50th % Median $215,000
75th % Senior $300,000
90th % Top 10% $385,000
Base Annual Salary $215,000
Target Annual Bonus $25,800
Annual Stock / Equity $47,300
Total Compensation (TC) $288,100
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Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot Openings in United States

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $215,000/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in United States

Estimated pay progression across career stages for Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$110,000
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$215,000
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$300,000
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$385,000

Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$296,700

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$292,400

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$288,100

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$275,200

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$275,200

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$275,200

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$268,750

California

COL Index: 142%
$268,750

Role Profile & Career Requirements

Commercial Airline Pilots navigate passenger and cargo jetliners on domestic and international routes while maintaining rigorous flight safety protocols.

Required Education
FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate + 1,500 Flight Hours
Experience Benchmark
5-10+ years
10-Year Projected Growth
+6%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot make in United States?

The median annual salary for a Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot in United States is $215,000, with entry-level professionals earning around $110,000 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $385,000.

What is the average hourly rate for a Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot in United States?

On average, a Commercial Airline Captain / Pilot in United States makes approximately $103.36 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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