Commercial Pilot salary in Delaware
Commercial Pilots in Delaware earn a median of $163,600 a year, based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,590 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $123,220. Delaware ranks 5th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.46 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $160,700, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,180 |
| 25th percentile | $124,180 |
| Median | $163,600 |
| 75th percentile | $198,380 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $264,590 |
| Average (mean) | $160,700 |
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 | $13,633.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,816.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,292.31 |
| Weekly | $3,146.15 |
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 cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $158,670 | 310 |
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 |
Related jobs in Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $60,350 | $29.02 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $42,390 | $20.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $60,160 | $28.92 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Delaware is $163,600 a year. Pay ranges from $83,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Delaware?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Delaware earn at least $264,590 a year. The top 25% earn $198,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,180 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $124,180 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Delaware?
About 220 commercial pilots are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.