Commercial Pilot salary in Knoxville, TN
Commercial Pilots in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $123,000 a year, based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,560 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 5% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $117,480. There are 0.18 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $125,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,760 |
| 25th percentile | $85,220 |
| Median | $123,000 |
| 75th percentile | $158,620 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,560 |
| Average (mean) | $125,980 |
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 | $10,250 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,125 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,730.77 |
| Weekly | $2,365.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $131,590 | 370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $130,630 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $122,420 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $114,350 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,100 | $28.41 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,160 | $28.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $31,340 | $15.07 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,400 | $15.09 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $30,410 | $14.62 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $123,000 a year. Pay ranges from $54,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $201,560 a year. The top 25% earn $158,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,760 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $85,220 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Knoxville, TN?
About 80 commercial pilots are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.