Commercial Pilots Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $170,000 +38.6% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $82,710
90th percentile —
Employed locally 530
National median $122,670

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Commercial Pilots
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $82,710
    25th
    $121,140
    50th (median)
    $170,000
    75th
    $170,000

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Commercial Pilots salary vs area income 127% Median Commercial Pilots salary is 27% 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
    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
    North Carolina $126,740

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $48,220
    Stockers and Order Fillers $44,630
    Light Truck Drivers $49,300
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $72,230
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $57,250

    Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

    The median Commercial Pilots salary in San Francisco, CA is 38.6% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Commercial Pilots (10th percentile) earn around $82,710 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,140.