Commercial Pilots Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Commercial Pilots in Memphis, TN-MS-AR make a median of $158,580 a year. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.18), which stretches that salary to about $172,033 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,274/month, or 12.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $159K get you in Memphis?
About commercial pilots
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K.Top earners bring in $204K or more - a $128K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $227K | +85% | 360 |
| New York | $173K | +41% | 1,070 |
| Texas | $163K | +33% | 5,030 |
| Delaware | $156K | +27% | 100 |
| Georgia | $139K | +14% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $137K | +12% | 300 |
| Maine | $135K | +10% | 110 |
| Nevada | $132K | +8% | 1,590 |
| Michigan | $131K | +6% | 1,400 |
| Florida | $131K | +6% | 6,100 |
| Maryland | $131K | +6% | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $130K | +6% | 740 |
| North Carolina | $127K | +3% | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $127K | +3% | 150 |
| Missouri | $124K | +1% | 810 |
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Memphis numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial pilots make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median is $158,580 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,340, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $203,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in Memphis?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,929/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,274/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 12.8% 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 Memphis?
Memphis has a Regional Price Parity of 92.18 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial pilots salary is worth about $172,033 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.