Commercial Pilot salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Commercial Pilots in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $130,600 a year, based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,180 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $127,310. There are 0.19 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $147,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,860 |
| 25th percentile | $79,210 |
| Median | $130,600 |
| 75th percentile | $206,120 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $264,180 |
| Average (mean) | $147,260 |
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 | $10,883.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,441.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,023.08 |
| Weekly | $2,511.54 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $172,320 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $144,750 | 430 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $137,180 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $133,870 | 110 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $128,170 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,160 | 180 |
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 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,110 | $25.06 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,840 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,360 | $14.60 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $130,600 a year. Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $264,180 a year. The top 25% earn $206,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,860 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $79,210 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 140 commercial pilots are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.