Commercial Pilot salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Commercial Pilots in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $129,850 a year, based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $236,920 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $131,210. There are 0.10 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $138,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,080 |
| 25th percentile | $81,450 |
| Median | $129,850 |
| 75th percentile | $212,870 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $236,920 |
| Average (mean) | $138,060 |
Half of commercial pilots earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,820.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,410.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,994.23 |
| Weekly | $2,497.12 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $129,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $171,560 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $158,670 | 310 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,850 | 510 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| Parking Attendant | $33,480 | $16.10 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $129,850 a year. Pay ranges from $58,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $236,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $236,920 a year. The top 25% earn $212,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,080 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $81,450 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 140 commercial pilots are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.