Commercial Pilot salary in Rhode Island
Commercial Pilots in Rhode Island earn a median of $98,820 a year, based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $273,060 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $123,220. Rhode Island ranks 43rd of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.16 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $131,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,360 |
| 25th percentile | $66,180 |
| Median | $98,820 |
| 75th percentile | $166,380 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $273,060 |
| Average (mean) | $131,970 |
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 | $8,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,117.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,800.77 |
| Weekly | $1,900.38 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $106,510 | 80 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $164,880 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,690 | $20.05 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Rhode Island is $98,820 a year. Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $273,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Rhode Island earn at least $273,060 a year. The top 25% earn $166,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,360 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $66,180 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Rhode Island?
About 80 commercial pilots are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.