Commercial Pilot salary in Salem, OR
Commercial Pilots in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $125,120 a year, based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,940 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 4% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $120,760. There are 0.76 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $140,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,770 |
| 25th percentile | $101,820 |
| Median | $125,120 |
| 75th percentile | $163,810 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,940 |
| Average (mean) | $140,360 |
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 | $10,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,812.31 |
| Weekly | $2,406.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medford, OR | $124,990 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,910 | 300 |
| Bend, OR | $99,010 | 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 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,520 | $19.96 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,850 | $15.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $35,670 | $17.15 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Salem, OR metro area is $125,120 a year. Pay ranges from $60,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $198,940 a year. The top 25% earn $163,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,770 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $101,820 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Salem, OR?
About 140 commercial pilots are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.