Commercial Pilot salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Commercial Pilots in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $118,980 a year, based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 13% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $105,740. There are 0.13 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $129,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,370 |
| 25th percentile | $85,450 |
| Median | $118,980 |
| 75th percentile | $163,040 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,000 |
| Average (mean) | $129,270 |
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 | $9,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,957.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,576.15 |
| Weekly | $2,288.08 |
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 $118,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $144,750 | 430 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $122,230 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $92,300 | 60 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $34,330 | $16.50 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,150 | $26.52 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,620 | $17.60 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,300 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $37,890 | $18.22 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $118,980 a year. Pay ranges from $42,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $227,000 a year. The top 25% earn $163,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,370 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $85,450 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 50 commercial pilots are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.