Commercial Pilot salary in Michigan
Commercial Pilots in Michigan earn a median of $126,670 a year, based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,900 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $123,220. Michigan ranks 17th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.32 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $127,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,280 |
| 25th percentile | $82,160 |
| Median | $126,670 |
| 75th percentile | $156,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,900 |
| Average (mean) | $127,700 |
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 | $10,555.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,277.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,871.92 |
| Weekly | $2,435.96 |
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 cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $133,220 | 410 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $128,770 | 100 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $128,500 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $126,400 | 530 |
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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $118,930 | $57.18 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $428,570 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,380 | $22.30 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Michigan is $126,670 a year. Pay ranges from $58,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Michigan?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Michigan earn at least $205,900 a year. The top 25% earn $156,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,280 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $82,160 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Michigan?
About 1,390 commercial pilots are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.