AmericaByNumbers.com

Commercial Pilots Salary in California

How much does a Commercial Pilots make in California?

Last updated: 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$122,100
Median Annual Salary
$168,930
Mean Salary
$122,100
Median Salary
$58.70
Hourly Rate
5,530 people work as Commercial Pilots in California

About This Job: Commercial Pilots

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Top Skills

Operation and Control
4.62
Operations Monitoring
4.12
Critical Thinking
4.0
Monitoring
4.0
Active Listening
3.88

Key Knowledge Areas

Transportation
4.62
Customer and Personal Service
4.27
Geography
3.96
English Language
3.7
Public Safety and Security
3.41
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree (28.3% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

🚀 What To Do Next

Build a Professional Resume
Stand out to employers with a polished, ATS-friendly resume.
Upgrade Your Skills
Take courses from top universities and companies to boost your career.
Grow Your Career
Expert-led courses plus LinkedIn profile integration.

Some links may be affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

What does this salary really buy? See Commercial Pilots salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

Commercial Pilots Salary by State

Compare Commercial Pilots pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

Connecticut $227,140 New York $172,500 Texas $162,930 Delaware $155,640 Georgia $139,350 Massachusetts $137,150 Maine $134,990 Nevada $132,490 Michigan $130,560 Florida $130,530

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in California

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in California.

Parking AttendantsSimilar $36,350 Packers and Packagers, HandSimilar $36,550 Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical TechniciansSimilar $36,960 Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentSimilar $37,300 Material Moving Workers, All OtherSimilar $37,530 Taxi DriversSimilar $38,500 Machine Feeders and OffbearersSimilar $38,960 Stockers and Order FillersSimilar $39,450 Automotive and Watercraft Service AttendantsSimilar $39,580 Passenger AttendantsSimilar $40,890

View all jobs in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Commercial Pilots make in California?
The median annual salary for a Commercial Pilots in California is $122,100 as of 2024. The average (mean) salary is $168,930.
What is the starting salary for a Commercial Pilots in California?
Entry-level Commercial Pilots positions in California typically start around $59,790 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $77,160 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Commercial Pilots in California?
According to 2024 BLS data, approximately 5,530 people are employed as Commercial Pilots in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Commercial Pilots in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Commercial Pilots in California is approximately $58.70 per hour.

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2024 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS