Commercial Pilot salary in New York
Commercial Pilots in New York earn a median of $177,430 a year, based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $297,680 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $123,220. New York ranks 3rd of 48 states for commercial pilots pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.11 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $184,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in New York
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,080 |
| 25th percentile | $103,390 |
| Median | $177,430 |
| 75th percentile | $257,810 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $297,680 |
| Average (mean) | $184,580 |
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 | $14,785.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,392.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,824.23 |
| Weekly | $3,412.12 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $280,630 | 50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $153,210 | 50 |
| Rochester, NY | $129,350 | 40 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $126,650 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $255,240 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $144,960 | $69.69 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,160 | $21.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for commercial pilots in New York is $177,430 a year. Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $297,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in New York?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in New York earn at least $297,680 a year. The top 25% earn $257,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,080 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $103,390 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in New York?
About 1,070 commercial pilots are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.