Commercial Pilot salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Commercial Pilots in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $101,050 a year, based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $267,450 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 17% lower than the Florida statewide median of $121,890. There are 0.36 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $133,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,470 |
| 25th percentile | $65,210 |
| Median | $101,050 |
| 75th percentile | $180,030 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $267,450 |
| Average (mean) | $133,330 |
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 | $8,420.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,210.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,886.54 |
| Weekly | $1,943.27 |
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 $101,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $173,100 | 140 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $132,980 | 190 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $127,360 | 3,440 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $126,270 | 110 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $117,790 | 550 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $117,660 | 130 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $106,440 | 360 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $106,350 | 220 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $105,720 | 50 |
| Ocala, FL | $100,240 | n/a |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $98,000 | 90 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $97,780 | 100 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $94,410 | 40 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $77,750 | 110 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $45,160 | 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 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,680 | $15.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Parking Attendant | $33,550 | $16.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $101,050 a year. Pay ranges from $63,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $267,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $267,450 a year. The top 25% earn $180,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,470 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $65,210 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 100 commercial pilots are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.