How Much Does a Corporate Pilot Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$123,220
Corporate pilots in the U.S. earn a median of $123,220 a year. Half of corporate pilots earn more than $123,220 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $266,620.
Pay percentiles for corporate pilots
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,850 |
| 25th | $84,540 |
| 50th (median) | $123,220 |
| 75th | $190,440 |
| 90th | $266,620 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Commercial Pilots (SOC 53-2012). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for corporate pilots, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for corporate pilots
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 | +88% |
| New Jersey | $226,710 | +84% |
| New York | $177,430 | +44% |
| California | $165,590 | +34% |
| Delaware | $163,600 | +33% |
| Ohio | $150,330 | +22% |
| Georgia | $145,100 | +18% |
| Colorado | $139,680 | +13% |
| Texas | $137,960 | +12% |
| Vermont | $137,810 | +12% |
| United States | $123,220 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many corporate pilots are there?
BLS counts about 47,630 corporate pilots employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Commercial Pilots”. The most jobs are in Florida (6,340), California (4,900) and Texas (4,120).
The mean (average) annual wage is $146,080, higher than the median of $123,220.
Frequently asked questions
How much do corporate pilots make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for corporate pilots, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $123,220.
Which state pays corporate pilots the most?
Connecticut has the highest median wage for corporate pilots at $232,160, +88% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for corporate pilots?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of corporate pilots earn less than $58,850 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.