Commercial Pilot salary in Reading, PA
Commercial Pilots in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $133,240 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,940 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $134,030. There are 0.21 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $153,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,880 |
| 25th percentile | $93,200 |
| Median | $133,240 |
| 75th percentile | $200,910 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $281,940 |
| Average (mean) | $153,460 |
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 | $11,103.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,551.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,124.62 |
| Weekly | $2,562.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $170,600 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $158,670 | 310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $134,030 | 200 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,510 | $18.04 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,330 | $22.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,010 | $15.87 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,070 | $14.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Reading, PA metro area is $133,240 a year. Pay ranges from $80,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $281,940 a year. The top 25% earn $200,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,880 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $93,200 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Reading, PA?
About 40 commercial pilots are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.