Commercial Pilot salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Commercial Pilots in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $133,220 a year, based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,550 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 5% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $126,670. There are 0.21 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $132,400, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,700 |
| 25th percentile | $85,130 |
| Median | $133,220 |
| 75th percentile | $171,770 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,550 |
| Average (mean) | $132,400 |
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 | $11,101.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,550.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,123.85 |
| Weekly | $2,561.92 |
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 $133,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $128,770 | 100 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $128,500 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $126,400 | 530 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $178,310 | $85.73 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $428,570 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,390 | $17.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $133,220 a year. Pay ranges from $66,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $211,550 a year. The top 25% earn $171,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,700 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $85,130 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 410 commercial pilots are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.