Commercial Pilot salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Commercial Pilots in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $157,420 a year, based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $376,830 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 25% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $126,100. There are 0.19 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $171,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,890 |
| 25th percentile | $72,090 |
| Median | $157,420 |
| 75th percentile | $227,840 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $376,830 |
| Average (mean) | $171,200 |
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 | $13,118.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,559.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,054.62 |
| Weekly | $3,027.31 |
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 $157,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $193,940 | 430 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,230 | 190 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $128,900 | 370 |
| Peoria, IL | $101,820 | 30 |
| Columbus, IN | $99,250 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $91,540 | 380 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,770 | 30 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $293,490 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,780 | $91.24 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,490 | $19.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $157,420 a year. Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $376,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $376,830 a year. The top 25% earn $227,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,890 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $72,090 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 840 commercial pilots are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.