Commercial Pilot salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Commercial Pilots in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $91,540 a year, based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,780 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 11% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $102,990. There are 0.29 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $119,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,790 |
| 25th percentile | $60,960 |
| Median | $91,540 |
| 75th percentile | $162,760 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $222,780 |
| Average (mean) | $119,820 |
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 | $7,628.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,814.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,520.77 |
| Weekly | $1,760.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $157,420 | 840 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $131,000 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $114,000 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $101,820 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,770 | 30 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $61,080 | $29.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $91,540 a year. Pay ranges from $50,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $222,780 a year. The top 25% earn $162,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,790 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $60,960 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 380 commercial pilots are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.