Commercial Pilot salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Commercial Pilots in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $153,210 a year, based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $273,680 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 14% lower than the New York statewide median of $177,430. There are 0.10 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $161,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,080 |
| 25th percentile | $109,430 |
| Median | $153,210 |
| 75th percentile | $232,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $273,680 |
| Average (mean) | $161,860 |
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 | $12,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,383.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,892.69 |
| Weekly | $2,946.35 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $153,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $280,630 | 50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| Rochester, NY | $129,350 | 40 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,300 | $18.90 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $52,340 | $25.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $153,210 a year. Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $273,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $273,680 a year. The top 25% earn $232,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,080 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $109,430 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 50 commercial pilots are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.