Commercial Pilot salary in Wisconsin
Commercial Pilots in Wisconsin earn a median of $129,860 a year, based on BLS data for 1,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $269,990 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $123,220. Wisconsin ranks 15th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.37 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $156,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,390 |
| 25th percentile | $91,750 |
| Median | $129,860 |
| 75th percentile | $257,050 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $269,990 |
| Average (mean) | $156,970 |
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 | $10,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,994.62 |
| Weekly | $2,497.31 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $177,730 | 420 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,550 | 560 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $114,560 | 30 |
| Madison, WI | $109,740 | 90 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $99,350 | 30 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $86,860 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,000 | $16.34 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $52,660 | $25.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Wisconsin is $129,860 a year. Pay ranges from $66,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $269,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Wisconsin earn at least $269,990 a year. The top 25% earn $257,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,390 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $91,750 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Wisconsin?
About 1,090 commercial pilots are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.