Commercial Pilot salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Commercial Pilots in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $112,100 a year, based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,300 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 34% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $83,710. There are 0.60 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,990 |
| 25th percentile | $61,450 |
| Median | $112,100 |
| 75th percentile | $146,830 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,300 |
| Average (mean) | $114,140 |
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 | $9,341.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,670.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,311.54 |
| Weekly | $2,155.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $131,950 | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,550 | 560 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $111,680 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $99,350 | 30 |
| Rapid City, SD | $86,150 | 60 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,520 | $32.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,500 | $17.55 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $112,100 a year. Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $178,300 a year. The top 25% earn $146,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,990 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $61,450 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 110 commercial pilots are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.