Commercial Pilot salary
From 12 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 53-2012: Commercial Pilots
Commercial Pilot H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Commercial Pilot jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 53-2012, Commercial Pilots). The median base salary is $126,000, 3% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $84,363 and $151,800.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | – | 0 |
| Level II · Qualified | – | 0 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Commercial Pilot does
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.
Typical tasks
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
- Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Preparation
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET occupation: Commercial Pilots (53-2012.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Commercial Pilots), the median annual wage was $123,220 in May 2025, with 47,630 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $126,000, 2% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,695 | $58,850 |
| 25th percentile | $84,363 | $84,540 |
| Median | $126,000 | $123,220 |
| 75th percentile | $151,800 | $190,440 |
| 90th percentile | $151,800 | $239,200+ |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $65,695 |
| 25th | $84,363 |
| 50th (median) | $126,000 |
| 75th | $151,800 |
| 90th | $151,800 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Commercial Pilot make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Commercial Pilot jobs is $126,000 (12 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $84,363 and $151,800.
Do H-1B Commercial Pilots earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($126,000) is 2% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($123,220, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.