Commercial Pilot salary in New Jersey
Commercial Pilots in New Jersey earn a median of $226,710 a year, based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $326,930 for the top 10%. That is 84% higher than the national median of $123,220. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 48 states for commercial pilots pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $215,210, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,560 |
| 25th percentile | $121,730 |
| Median | $226,710 |
| 75th percentile | $321,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $326,930 |
| Average (mean) | $215,210 |
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 | $18,892.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,446.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,719.62 |
| Weekly | $4,359.81 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $205,700 | 50 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $170,600 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $158,670 | 310 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,470 | $18.98 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for commercial pilots in New Jersey is $226,710 a year. Pay ranges from $52,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $326,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in New Jersey earn at least $326,930 a year. The top 25% earn $321,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,560 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $121,730 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in New Jersey?
About 670 commercial pilots are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.