Commercial Pilot salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Commercial Pilots in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $111,030 a year, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,990 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $129,990. There are 0.22 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $129,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,240 |
| 25th percentile | $84,990 |
| Median | $111,030 |
| 75th percentile | $159,780 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $246,990 |
| Average (mean) | $129,460 |
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 | $9,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,626.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,270.38 |
| Weekly | $2,135.19 |
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 $111,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $208,770 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,950 | $27.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,410 | $16.55 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Parking Attendant | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $48,140 | $23.14 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $111,030 a year. Pay ranges from $74,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $246,990 a year. The top 25% earn $159,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,240 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $84,990 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 60 commercial pilots are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.