Commercial Pilot salary in Arizona
Commercial Pilots in Arizona earn a median of $103,060 a year, based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,660 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $123,220. Arizona ranks 36th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.47 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $119,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,290 |
| 25th percentile | $93,620 |
| Median | $103,060 |
| 75th percentile | $133,110 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,660 |
| Average (mean) | $119,320 |
Half of commercial pilots earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,294.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,963.85 |
| Weekly | $1,981.92 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $109,480 | 150 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $105,770 | 1,020 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $102,460 | 60 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $100,420 | 30 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $68,460 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $227,870 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $136,800 | $65.77 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,840 | $17.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make in Arizona?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Arizona is $103,060 a year. Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Arizona?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Arizona earn at least $201,660 a year. The top 25% earn $133,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,290 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $93,620 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Arizona?
About 1,540 commercial pilots are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.