Commercial Pilot salary in Grand Forks, ND-MN
Commercial Pilots in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $111,680 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $233,050 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 16% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $133,010. There are 0.73 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $127,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,690 |
| 25th percentile | $83,220 |
| Median | $111,680 |
| 75th percentile | $133,410 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $233,050 |
| Average (mean) | $127,500 |
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 | $9,306.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,653.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,295.38 |
| Weekly | $2,147.69 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $111,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $137,510 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $131,950 | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,550 | 560 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,100 | 110 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $99,350 | 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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,910 | $18.22 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $53,270 | $25.61 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,290 | $13.60 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $21,180 | $10.18 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Grand Forks, ND-MN
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 Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area is $111,680 a year. Pay ranges from $60,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $233,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn at least $233,050 a year. The top 25% earn $133,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,690 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $83,220 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
About 40 commercial pilots are employed in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.