Commercial Pilot salary in Boulder, CO
Commercial Pilots in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $165,780 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,680 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 19% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $139,680. There are 0.22 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $139,720, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,140 |
| 25th percentile | $62,300 |
| Median | $165,780 |
| 75th percentile | $177,370 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,680 |
| Average (mean) | $139,720 |
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 | $13,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,907.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,376.15 |
| Weekly | $3,188.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $167,310 | n/a |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $145,210 | 30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $132,810 | 710 |
| Greeley, CO | $106,150 | 30 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,640 | $29.63 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,490 | $19.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $66,610 | $32.02 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Boulder, CO metro area is $165,780 a year. Pay ranges from $32,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $250,680 a year. The top 25% earn $177,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,140 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $62,300 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Boulder, CO?
About 40 commercial pilots are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.