Commercial Pilot salary in Lake Charles, LA
Commercial Pilots in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $99,600 a year, based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,820 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 4% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $95,940. There are 0.67 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,820 |
| 25th percentile | $81,410 |
| Median | $99,600 |
| 75th percentile | $106,660 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,820 |
| Average (mean) | $101,420 |
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 | $8,300 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,150 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,830.77 |
| Weekly | $1,915.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $135,950 | 140 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $97,570 | 160 |
| Monroe, LA | $91,490 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $89,700 | 90 |
| Lafayette, LA | $79,430 | 210 |
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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,550 | $13.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $99,600 a year. Pay ranges from $50,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $158,820 a year. The top 25% earn $106,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,820 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $81,410 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 70 commercial pilots are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.