Commercial Pilot salary in Salinas, CA
Commercial Pilots in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $102,580 a year, based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,740 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 38% lower than the California statewide median of $165,590. There are 0.17 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $118,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,060 |
| 25th percentile | $73,890 |
| Median | $102,580 |
| 75th percentile | $147,860 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,740 |
| Average (mean) | $118,490 |
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 | $8,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,274.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,945.38 |
| Weekly | $1,972.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $274,730 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $173,070 | 380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,420 | 200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $149,200 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $140,920 | 50 |
| Redding, CA | $135,340 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,080 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,570 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $123,880 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $119,400 | 120 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $115,450 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $112,320 | 250 |
| Fresno, CA | $112,000 | 80 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,300 | 150 |
| Visalia, CA | $75,600 | 40 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,210 | $20.77 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| Parking Attendant | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $42,090 | $20.24 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Salinas, CA metro area is $102,580 a year. Pay ranges from $40,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $221,740 a year. The top 25% earn $147,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,060 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $73,890 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Salinas, CA?
About 30 commercial pilots are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.