Commercial Pilots Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $160,780 +31.1% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $70,330
90th percentile —
Employed locally 640
National median $122,670

Compare Commercial Pilots salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Commercial Pilots
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,330
    25th
    $92,500
    50th (median)
    $160,780

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Commercial Pilots salary vs area income 181% Median Commercial Pilots salary is 81% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Commercial Pilots

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Waterbury-Shelton, CT $315,450
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $280,630
    West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $237,050
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $232,600
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $227,140
    Connecticut $227,140

    Nearby metros — Commercial Pilots salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Knoxville, TN $167,740
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $161,250
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $159,990
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $158,330
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $133,520
    Killeen-Temple, TX $133,140

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $40,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,940
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,430
    Light Truck Drivers $47,270
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,760
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Commercial Pilots in Chicago, IL-IN is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Commercial Pilots salaries?

    The median Commercial Pilots salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 31.1% above the national median of $122,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Commercial Pilots in Chicago?

    Entry-level Commercial Pilots (10th percentile) earn around $70,330 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $92,500.