Commercial Pilot salary in North Dakota
Commercial Pilots in North Dakota earn a median of $133,010 a year, based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $237,050 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $123,220. North Dakota ranks 12th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.86 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $157,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,630 |
| 25th percentile | $92,870 |
| Median | $133,010 |
| 75th percentile | $234,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $237,050 |
| Average (mean) | $157,900 |
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 | $11,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,115.77 |
| Weekly | $2,557.88 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $137,510 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $131,950 | 110 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $111,680 | 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,740 | $17.67 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for commercial pilots in North Dakota is $133,010 a year. Pay ranges from $65,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $237,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in North Dakota earn at least $237,050 a year. The top 25% earn $234,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,630 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $92,870 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in North Dakota?
About 370 commercial pilots are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.