Commercial Pilot salary in Missouri
Commercial Pilots in Missouri earn a median of $102,990 a year, based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,000 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $123,220. Missouri ranks 37th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.23 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $119,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,790 |
| 25th percentile | $66,850 |
| Median | $102,990 |
| 75th percentile | $165,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,000 |
| Average (mean) | $119,400 |
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 | $8,582.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,291.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,961.15 |
| Weekly | $1,980.58 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $131,000 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $114,000 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $91,540 | 380 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $40,360 | $19.41 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $122,200 | $58.75 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $97,680 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,050 | $17.81 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Missouri is $102,990 a year. Pay ranges from $50,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Missouri?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Missouri earn at least $212,000 a year. The top 25% earn $165,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,790 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $66,850 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Missouri?
About 670 commercial pilots are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.