Commercial Pilot salary in Columbus, OH
Commercial Pilots in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $175,690 a year, based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,270 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 17% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $150,330. There are 1.3 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $153,240, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,300 |
| 25th percentile | $92,980 |
| Median | $175,690 |
| 75th percentile | $216,270 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,270 |
| Average (mean) | $153,240 |
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 | $14,640.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,320.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,757.31 |
| Weekly | $3,378.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $166,520 | 600 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,230 | 190 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $120,910 | 70 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $83,450 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $60,830 | $29.24 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,720 | $29.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,960 | $14.40 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $57,510 | $27.65 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Columbus, OH metro area is $175,690 a year. Pay ranges from $60,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $216,270 a year. The top 25% earn $216,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,300 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $92,980 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Columbus, OH?
About 1,410 commercial pilots are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.