Commercial Pilot salary in Madison, WI
Commercial Pilots in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $109,740 a year, based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,440 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $129,860. There are 0.21 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $110,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,960 |
| 25th percentile | $84,910 |
| Median | $109,740 |
| 75th percentile | $142,270 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,440 |
| Average (mean) | $110,610 |
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 | $9,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,572.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,220.77 |
| Weekly | $2,110.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $177,730 | 420 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,550 | 560 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $114,560 | 30 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $99,350 | 30 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $86,860 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,450 | $23.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Parking Attendant | $36,200 | $17.40 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Madison, WI metro area is $109,740 a year. Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $164,440 a year. The top 25% earn $142,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,960 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $84,910 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Madison, WI?
About 90 commercial pilots are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.