Commercial Pilot salary in Indiana
Commercial Pilots in Indiana earn a median of $104,160 a year, based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,260 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $123,220. Indiana ranks 33rd of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.30 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,250 |
| 25th percentile | $88,730 |
| Median | $104,160 |
| 75th percentile | $144,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,260 |
| Average (mean) | $125,910 |
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 | $8,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,006.15 |
| Weekly | $2,003.08 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $193,940 | 430 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $157,420 | 840 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,230 | 190 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $128,900 | 370 |
| Columbus, IN | $99,250 | n/a |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $158,810 | $76.35 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $171,260 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,290 | $28.99 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,700 | $31.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,780 | $15.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Indiana is $104,160 a year. Pay ranges from $63,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Indiana?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Indiana earn at least $221,260 a year. The top 25% earn $144,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,250 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $88,730 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Indiana?
About 960 commercial pilots are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.