Commercial Pilot salary in Lafayette, LA
Commercial Pilots in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $79,430 a year, based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,850 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 17% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $95,940. There are 1.2 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,780 |
| 25th percentile | $46,790 |
| Median | $79,430 |
| 75th percentile | $111,180 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,850 |
| Average (mean) | $94,530 |
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 | $6,619.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,309.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,055 |
| Weekly | $1,527.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $135,950 | 140 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $99,600 | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $97,570 | 160 |
| Monroe, LA | $91,490 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $89,700 | 90 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,600 | $22.41 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $116,200 | $55.87 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $36,470 | $17.53 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $79,430 a year. Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $162,850 a year. The top 25% earn $111,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,780 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $46,790 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Lafayette, LA?
About 210 commercial pilots are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.