Airline Pilots

• Pilots, copilots and flight engineers made a mean salary of $117,060 per year in 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent earned between $80,640 and $144,010 per year that same year. These types of pilots and copilots must earn a FAT or Federal Air Transport rating, as well as certification to pilot specific multi-engined aircraft.
  
  

Airline Pilot Salary Variables

• The most popular industry for airline pilots and copilots in 2009 was scheduled air transportation with an average salary of $119,520 per year. Trade and technical schools paid the least with an annual mean salary of $83,330, while the highest-paying industry was employment services with an average of $121,750 per year. Location makes a difference too. For example, airline pilots based out of Utah earned an average $80,810 per year while peers based in Florida averaged $148,940 per year.
  
  

Commercial Pilots

• Commercial pilots earn less pay than the "airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers" category, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS lists commercial pilots as those who fly fixed or rotary winged aircraft, including small planes and helicopters, who are certified by the FAA with a Commercial Rating. In 2009, commercial pilots made an average $73,060 per year, with the middle 50 percent earning between $46,330 and $88,050 a year.
  
  

Commercial Pilot Salary Factors

• On the other hand, the most populated industry for commercial pilots was nonscheduled transportation, but the BLS did not release the average wage. The next most common industry for commercial pilots was trade and technical schools, with an average of $57,880. The highest paying industry was aerospace product and parts manufacturing, with a significantly higher average salary of $106,130 per year. Location affects commercial pilot salaries as well. A commercial pilot in South Dakota earned a mean $54,100 annually in 2009, while Georgia paid the highest average of $124,390 per year.