Commercial Pilot salary in Minnesota
Commercial Pilots in Minnesota earn a median of $98,630 a year, based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,800 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $123,220. Minnesota ranks 44th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.31 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $123,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,670 |
| 25th percentile | $60,610 |
| Median | $98,630 |
| 75th percentile | $164,150 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $261,800 |
| Average (mean) | $123,240 |
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 | $8,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,109.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,793.46 |
| Weekly | $1,896.73 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $131,950 | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,550 | 560 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,100 | 110 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $111,680 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $99,350 | 30 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,230 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $211,470 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $176,840 | $85.02 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,580 | $18.07 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Minnesota is $98,630 a year. Pay ranges from $42,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Minnesota earn at least $261,800 a year. The top 25% earn $164,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,670 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $60,610 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Minnesota?
About 910 commercial pilots are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.