Airline and commercial pilots
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Airline and commercial pilots in the United States earn a median salary of $210,020 per year — about $101 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 155K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
Median Salary
$210,020
~$101/hr · ~$17,502/mo
US Jobs
155K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
5/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 5/10
The occupation is a hybrid of high-level digital information processing and critical physical presence. While AI and advanced automation can handle navigation, flight planning, and system monitoring, the role requires real-time human intervention for physical emergencies, complex sensory awareness in unpredictable weather, and the legal/ethical responsibility of passenger safety in the physical world.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
City-by-city salary data not available for this occupation. Showing national median only.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Varies by employer
10-Year Growth
+4% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$101/hr
Monthly Income
~$17,502/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)