Commercial Pilot salary in Rapid City, SD
Commercial Pilots in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $86,150 a year, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,430 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $83,710. There are 0.87 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,120 |
| 25th percentile | $60,360 |
| Median | $86,150 |
| 75th percentile | $110,140 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,430 |
| Average (mean) | $87,930 |
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 | $7,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,589.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,313.46 |
| Weekly | $1,656.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,100 | 110 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,250 | $20.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,660 | $29.17 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,800 | $13.37 |
| Parking Attendant | $35,600 | $17.12 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $86,150 a year. Pay ranges from $49,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $113,430 a year. The top 25% earn $110,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,120 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $60,360 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Rapid City, SD?
About 60 commercial pilots are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.