Commercial Pilot salary in Fresno, CA
Commercial Pilots in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median of $112,000 a year, based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,310 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 32% lower than the California statewide median of $165,590. There are 0.18 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $125,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Fresno, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,290 |
| 25th percentile | $72,160 |
| Median | $112,000 |
| 75th percentile | $169,400 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $228,310 |
| Average (mean) | $125,370 |
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 | $9,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,666.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,307.69 |
| Weekly | $2,153.85 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $274,730 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $173,070 | 380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,420 | 200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $149,200 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $140,920 | 50 |
| Redding, CA | $135,340 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,080 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,570 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $123,880 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $119,400 | 120 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $115,450 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $112,320 | 250 |
| Salinas, CA | $102,580 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,300 | 150 |
| Visalia, CA | $75,600 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $195,310 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,740 | $26.80 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,170 | $20.76 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $52,650 | $25.31 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $65,950 | $31.71 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,480 | $18.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Fresno, CA
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 Fresno, CA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Fresno, CA metro area is $112,000 a year. Pay ranges from $49,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Fresno, CA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Fresno, CA metro area earn at least $228,310 a year. The top 25% earn $169,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Fresno, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,290 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $72,160 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Fresno, CA?
About 80 commercial pilots are employed in the Fresno, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.