Commercial Pilots: 47,630 jobs, median pay $123,220 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

47,630

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$123,220

Median pay a year

Middle half: $84,540–$190,440

5,200

Annual openings

10-year change: +5.2%

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 156 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $127,360 · LCA filings 03,440$127,3600

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 31,980n/a3

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $160,160 · LCA filings 01,810$160,1600

Columbus, OHMedian pay $175,690 · LCA filings 01,410$175,6900

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $225,900 · LCA filings 01,210$225,9000

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $105,770 · LCA filings 01,020$105,7700

Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVMedian pay $105,340 · LCA filings 0940$105,3400

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $157,420 · LCA filings 0840$157,4200

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $131,420 · LCA filings 0790$131,4200

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $132,810 · LCA filings 0710$132,8100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Waterbury–Shelton, CTEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$315,4501300

Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh, NYEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$280,630500

Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$274,7301300

Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$232,600900

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 1,210 · LCA filings 0$225,9001,2100

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 1,980321,980

Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 15011150

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $119,900 · Level III $155,770 · Level IV $191,640$84,030$119,900$155,770$191,640

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $153,827 · Level III $230,383 · Level IV $306,940$77,270$153,827$230,383$306,940

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $132,627 · Level III $171,273 · Level IV $209,920$93,980$132,627$171,273$209,920

Columbus, OHLevel II $111,347 · Level III $152,823 · Level IV $194,300$69,870$111,347$152,823$194,300

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $145,407 · Level III $204,183 · Level IV $262,960$86,630$145,407$204,183$262,960

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $101,830 · Level III $125,670 · Level IV $149,510$77,990$101,830$125,670$149,510

Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVLevel II $90,457 · Level III $125,543 · Level IV $160,630$55,370$90,457$125,543$160,630

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $116,653 · Level III $170,667 · Level IV $224,680$62,640$116,653$170,667$224,680

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $108,443 · Level III $140,257 · Level IV $172,070$76,630$108,443$140,257$172,070

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $116,990 · Level III $157,670 · Level IV $198,350$76,310$116,990$157,670$198,350

Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CALevel II $99,983 · Level III $133,987 · Level IV $167,990$65,980$99,983$133,987$167,990

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Air TransportationCIP 49.01Varies by program991Varies by program

See Commercial Pilots in every metro area

All 156 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology