Commercial Pilots Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 22 metro areas • California
Commercial Pilots in California earn a median salary of $105,417 per year on average across 22 metro and nonmetro areas, -14.1% vs the national median of $122,670. An estimated 4,960 commercial pilots are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $74,240 to $177,300 depending on location.
$105,417
Avg median salary in California
$177,300
Highest paying metro
$74,240
Lowest paying metro
4,960
Employed in California
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Commercial Pilots salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $177,300 | $88,720 | — | 2,110 |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,000 | $121,140 | $170,000 | 530 |
| Redding, CA | $135,340 | $72,270 | $207,230 | 50 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $122,770 | $79,110 | $169,790 | 30 |
| Chico, CA | $112,080 | $72,350 | $135,420 | 40 |
| Stockton, CA | $111,630 | $76,480 | $167,870 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $108,180 | $76,970 | $172,900 | 170 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $106,640 | $73,860 | $169,930 | 70 |
| San Jose, CA | $104,950 | $60,170 | — | 200 |
| Sacramento, CA | $103,300 | $76,750 | $155,720 | 260 |
| San Diego, CA | $102,960 | $76,880 | $172,450 | 490 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $102,130 | $73,370 | $173,010 | 90 |
| Modesto, CA | $101,450 | $78,090 | $180,340 | 40 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $98,100 | $73,970 | $138,260 | 110 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,510 | $74,480 | $138,520 | 270 |
| Salinas, CA | $91,780 | $59,270 | $133,490 | 50 |
| Oxnard, CA | $91,520 | $72,720 | $138,410 | 190 |
| North Coast Region of California | $82,160 | $78,200 | $103,950 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $77,040 | $64,480 | $102,390 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,250 | $63,730 | $121,770 | 100 |
| Merced, CA | $74,840 | $48,510 | $98,840 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,240 | $64,480 | $116,390 | — |