Commercial Pilots Salary
Commercial Pilots in Washington make a median of $117,730 a year. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $314K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $115,410 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 23.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $118K get you in Washington?
About commercial pilots
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What this looks like in Washington
Commercial pilots pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $118K locally vs. $123K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 24.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $314K or more, a $244K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots salary by metro in Washington
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $127K | +8% | 500 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $111K | -6% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
Can a commercial pilot afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 24.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for commercial pilots in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new commercial pilots typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,225/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $118K locally vs. $123K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for commercial pilots?
Washington pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $115K — below the national median.
How much do commercial pilots make in Washington?
The median is $117,730 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,420, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $314,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,601/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 24.1% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $115,410 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.