Commercial Pilot salary in Rochester, NY
Commercial Pilots in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $129,350 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $260,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 27% lower than the New York statewide median of $177,430. There are 0.07 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $137,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,080 |
| 25th percentile | $75,480 |
| Median | $129,350 |
| 75th percentile | $176,880 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $260,040 |
| Average (mean) | $137,000 |
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 | $10,779.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,389.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,975 |
| Weekly | $2,487.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $280,630 | 50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $153,210 | 50 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,090 | $20.23 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.91 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,800 | $16.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Rochester, NY metro area is $129,350 a year. Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $260,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $260,040 a year. The top 25% earn $176,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,080 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $75,480 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 commercial pilots are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.