Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Commercial Pilots actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 22.7% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Commercial Pilots earning $117,480 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $117,480 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$17,733 | 15.1% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$7,283 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,703 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$26,720 | 22.7% |
| Take-Home Pay | $90,759 | 77.3% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Commercial Pilots in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $54,740 | -$8,772 | $45,967 | 16.0% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $82,770 | -$16,382 | $66,387 | 19.8% |
| Median (P50) | $117,480 | -$26,720 | $90,759 | 22.7% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $169,920 | -$43,236 | $126,683 | 25.4% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $204,650 | -$52,116 | $152,533 | 25.5% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Commercial Pilots keeps $90,759 of their $117,480 salary — 77.3% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 22.7%, a Commercial Pilots in Tennessee keeps $90,759 of $117,480 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Commercial Pilots, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($17,734) accounts for 66% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $8,987 (34%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
Tennessee ranks #21 of 48 states for Commercial Pilots after-tax pay — comfortably in the upper half.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $90,759 net/year works out to $7,563/month or $3,491/bi-weekly for this Commercial Pilots in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Commercial Pilots keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #21 out of 48 states for Commercial Pilots after-tax take-home pay.
A Commercial Pilots in Tennessee earning a median salary of $117,480 will take home approximately $90,759 per year after federal income tax ($17,733), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($8,987). That is $7,563 per month or $3,490 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Commercial Pilots in Tennessee is 22.7%, broken down as: federal income tax 15.1%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Commercial Pilots in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 22.7%.
After all taxes, a Commercial Pilots in Tennessee takes home approximately $7,563 per month, or about $43.63 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $117,480 for Commercial Pilots in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $90,759/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR