Commercial Pilot salary in Richmond, VA
Commercial Pilots in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $119,710 a year, based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,970 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 14% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $104,890. There are 0.18 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $137,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,310 |
| 25th percentile | $96,020 |
| Median | $119,710 |
| 75th percentile | $200,600 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $228,970 |
| Average (mean) | $137,100 |
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 | $9,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,987.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,604.23 |
| Weekly | $2,302.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,850 | 510 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $114,350 | 30 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $130,100 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $72,600 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,190 | $27.98 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,370 | $23.73 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,150 | $23.63 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Richmond, VA metro area is $119,710 a year. Pay ranges from $55,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $228,970 a year. The top 25% earn $200,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,310 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $96,020 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Richmond, VA?
About 120 commercial pilots are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.