Airline Pilot Salary in Pennsylvania: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Airline Pilot salary really buy you in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$172,710

Median annual (2024)

→ +4.0%

Real Purchasing Power

$179,532

COL-adjusted (RPP=96.2)

Pennsylvania Cost of Living Index

Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Airline Pilot earning $172,710 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $179,532 in an average-cost US state.

PA: 96.2

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

A Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania earns $172,710 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $179,532 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Airline Pilot (After Cost of Living)

Where does Airline Pilot salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska

$222,049

RPP 102.0

2. Texas

$220,174

RPP 97.5

3. Florida

$215,817

RPP 102.1

4. Colorado

$207,096

RPP 102.3

5. Oregon

$201,238

RPP 106.6

6. Arizona

$198,998

RPP 99.9

7. Arkansas

$191,662

RPP 86.6

8. Minnesota

$188,904

RPP 97.7

9. Nevada

$187,344

RPP 96.4

10. Indiana

$186,328

RPP 91.8

Pennsylvania ranks #11 out of 29 states for Airline Pilot after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania after cost of living?

A Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $172,710 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $179,532 — a +4.0% difference.

Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?

Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania: $172,710 x (100 / 96.2) = $179,532. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Airline Pilot in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.