Commercial Pilot salary in Tennessee
Commercial Pilots in Tennessee earn a median of $117,480 a year, based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,650 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $123,220. Tennessee ranks 24th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.32 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,740 |
| 25th percentile | $82,770 |
| Median | $117,480 |
| 75th percentile | $169,920 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,650 |
| Average (mean) | $126,190 |
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 | $9,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,895 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,518.46 |
| Weekly | $2,259.23 |
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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $131,590 | 370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $130,630 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $123,000 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $122,420 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $114,350 | 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $157,330 | $75.64 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $40,180 | $19.32 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Tennessee is $117,480 a year. Pay ranges from $54,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Tennessee earn at least $204,650 a year. The top 25% earn $169,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,740 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $82,770 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Tennessee?
About 1,030 commercial pilots are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.