Commercial Pilot salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Commercial Pilots in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $131,000 a year, based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,480 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 27% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $102,990. 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 $127,780, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,030 |
| 25th percentile | $72,690 |
| Median | $131,000 |
| 75th percentile | $169,800 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,480 |
| Average (mean) | $127,780 |
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 | $10,916.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,458.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,038.46 |
| Weekly | $2,519.23 |
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 $131,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO | $114,000 | 50 |
| Wichita, KS | $106,250 | 370 |
| Topeka, KS | $104,530 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $91,540 | 380 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $161,700 | $77.74 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,350 | $22.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $59,360 | $28.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $131,000 a year. Pay ranges from $53,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $214,480 a year. The top 25% earn $169,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,030 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $72,690 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 200 commercial pilots are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.