Commercial Pilots Salary
Commercial Pilots in Alaska make a median of $100,120 a year. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $95,983 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 24.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $100K get you in Alaska?
About commercial pilots
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Alaska
Pay for commercial pilots in Alaska runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $123K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,643/month, 25% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Alaska can be a reasonable trade-off for commercial pilotss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College | $104K | +3% | 60 |
| Anchorage | $100K | -0% | 590 |
Compare to other states
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
Can a commercial pilot afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $100K, rent takes 25% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for commercial pilots in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new commercial pilots typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,977/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 55% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is commercial pilot a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $100K here vs. $123K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for commercial pilots?
Alaska pays $100K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $96K — below the national median.
How much do commercial pilots make in Alaska?
The median is $100,120 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,610, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $163,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,568/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 25% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a commercial pilots salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial pilots salary is worth about $95,983 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial pilots get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.