Commercial Pilots Salary
Commercial Pilots in Rhode Island make a median of $98,820 a year. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $273K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $97,101 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $99K get you in Rhode Island?
About commercial pilots
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Pay for commercial pilots in Rhode Island runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $123K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,544/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Rhode Island can be a reasonable trade-off for commercial pilotss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $273K or more, a $222K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $107K | +8% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
Can a commercial pilot afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $99K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for commercial pilots in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new commercial pilots typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,082/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Rhode Island?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $99K here vs. $123K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for commercial pilots?
Rhode Island pays $99K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $97K — below the national median.
How much do commercial pilots make in Rhode Island?
The median is $98,820 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,360, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $273,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,202/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 24.9% 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (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 $97,101 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.