Commercial Pilot salary in Cleveland, OH
Commercial Pilots in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $166,520 a year, based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,960 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 11% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $150,330. There are 0.58 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $148,680, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,280 |
| 25th percentile | $85,520 |
| Median | $166,520 |
| 75th percentile | $210,020 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,960 |
| Average (mean) | $148,680 |
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 | $13,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,938.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,404.62 |
| Weekly | $3,202.31 |
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 $166,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $175,690 | 1,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,230 | 190 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $120,910 | 70 |
| Akron, OH | $84,170 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $61,080 | 100 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,160 | $29.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,810 | $14.33 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $166,520 a year. Pay ranges from $59,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $225,960 a year. The top 25% earn $210,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,280 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $85,520 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Cleveland, OH?
About 600 commercial pilots are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.