Commercial Pilots Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $102,960 -16.1% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $62,770
90th percentile —
Employed locally 490
National median $122,670

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Commercial Pilots
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,770
    25th
    $76,880
    50th (median)
    $102,960
    75th
    $172,450

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Commercial Pilots salary vs area income 101% Median Commercial Pilots salary is 1% 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
    Connecticut $227,140
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $227,140

    Nearby metros — Commercial Pilots salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $177,300
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $170,000
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $160,780
    Redding, CA $135,340
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $133,520
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $129,130

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,000
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,690
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,480
    Light Truck Drivers $43,820
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $58,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in San Diego?

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

    Is San Diego above or below average for Commercial Pilots salaries?

    The median Commercial Pilots salary in San Diego, CA is 16.1% below 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Commercial Pilots (10th percentile) earn around $62,770 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,880.