Commercial Pilot salary in Tucson, AZ
Commercial Pilots in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $109,480 a year, based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,280 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 6% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $103,060. There are 0.38 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,800 |
| 25th percentile | $100,760 |
| Median | $109,480 |
| 75th percentile | $136,760 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,280 |
| Average (mean) | $116,600 |
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 | $9,123.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,561.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,210.77 |
| Weekly | $2,105.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $105,770 | 1,020 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $102,460 | 60 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $100,420 | 30 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $68,460 | 120 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $206,050 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $75,610 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,730 | $14.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,530 | $15.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $109,480 a year. Pay ranges from $84,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $146,280 a year. The top 25% earn $136,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,800 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $100,760 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Tucson, AZ?
About 150 commercial pilots are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.