Commercial Pilot salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Commercial Pilots in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $130,230 a year, based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $269,510 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 13% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $150,330. There are 0.17 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $150,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,400 |
| 25th percentile | $84,650 |
| Median | $130,230 |
| 75th percentile | $199,370 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $269,510 |
| Average (mean) | $150,620 |
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 | $10,852.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,426.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,008.85 |
| Weekly | $2,504.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $193,940 | 430 |
| Columbus, OH | $175,690 | 1,410 |
| Cleveland, OH | $166,520 | 600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $157,420 | 840 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $128,900 | 370 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $120,910 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $111,030 | 60 |
| Columbus, IN | $99,250 | n/a |
| Akron, OH | $84,170 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $61,080 | 100 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $136,240 | $65.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,830 | $17.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $130,230 a year. Pay ranges from $63,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $269,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $269,510 a year. The top 25% earn $199,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,400 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $84,650 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 190 commercial pilots are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.