Commercial Pilot salary in New Mexico
Commercial Pilots in New Mexico earn a median of $97,920 a year, based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $219,010 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $123,220. New Mexico ranks 45th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.43 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,680 |
| 25th percentile | $71,970 |
| Median | $97,920 |
| 75th percentile | $131,240 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $219,010 |
| Average (mean) | $114,690 |
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 | $8,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,766.15 |
| Weekly | $1,883.08 |
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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $101,820 | 150 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,550 | $71.42 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $69,090 | $33.22 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $136,990 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,830 | $17.22 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,360 | $20.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,660 | $22.92 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for commercial pilots in New Mexico is $97,920 a year. Pay ranges from $34,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $219,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in New Mexico earn at least $219,010 a year. The top 25% earn $131,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,680 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $71,970 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in New Mexico?
About 370 commercial pilots are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.