Commercial Pilot salary in Billings, MT
Commercial Pilots in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $105,830 a year, based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,440 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 2% higher than the Montana statewide median of $103,690. There are 0.54 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,430 |
| 25th percentile | $100,710 |
| Median | $105,830 |
| 75th percentile | $130,330 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,440 |
| Average (mean) | $115,960 |
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 | $8,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,070.38 |
| Weekly | $2,035.19 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $137,430 | 40 |
| Missoula, MT | $104,260 | 40 |
| Helena, MT | $100,940 | 50 |
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 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $41,860 | $20.12 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $48,010 | $23.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Billings, MT
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 Billings, MT?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Billings, MT metro area is $105,830 a year. Pay ranges from $74,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $155,440 a year. The top 25% earn $130,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,430 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $100,710 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Billings, MT?
About 50 commercial pilots are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.