Commercial Pilot salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Commercial Pilots in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $132,810 a year, based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $285,550 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 5% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $139,680. There are 0.44 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $158,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,100 |
| 25th percentile | $98,660 |
| Median | $132,810 |
| 75th percentile | $218,440 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $285,550 |
| Average (mean) | $158,080 |
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 | $11,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,108.08 |
| Weekly | $2,554.04 |
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 |
| Boulder, CO | $165,780 | 40 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $145,210 | 30 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $307,490 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $39,610 | $19.04 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $132,810 a year. Pay ranges from $57,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $285,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $285,550 a year. The top 25% earn $218,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,100 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $98,660 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 710 commercial pilots are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.