Commercial Pilot salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Commercial Pilots in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $114,350 a year, based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,110 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $117,480. There are 0.25 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $130,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,290 |
| 25th percentile | $94,550 |
| Median | $114,350 |
| 75th percentile | $181,010 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,110 |
| Average (mean) | $130,300 |
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 | $9,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,764.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,398.08 |
| Weekly | $2,199.04 |
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 $114,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $131,590 | 370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $130,630 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,850 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $123,000 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $122,420 | 200 |
| Richmond, VA | $119,710 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,160 | 180 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,650 | $14.25 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $114,350 a year. Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $198,110 a year. The top 25% earn $181,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,290 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $94,550 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 30 commercial pilots are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.