Commercial Pilot salary in Louisiana
Commercial Pilots in Louisiana earn a median of $95,940 a year, based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,410 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $123,220. Louisiana ranks 46th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.47 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,990 |
| 25th percentile | $63,270 |
| Median | $95,940 |
| 75th percentile | $135,950 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,410 |
| Average (mean) | $109,200 |
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 | $7,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,690 |
| Weekly | $1,845 |
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 $95,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $135,950 | 140 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $99,600 | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $97,570 | 160 |
| Monroe, LA | $91,490 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $89,700 | 90 |
| Lafayette, LA | $79,430 | 210 |
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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $120,740 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,710 | $13.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Louisiana is $95,940 a year. Pay ranges from $46,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Louisiana earn at least $169,410 a year. The top 25% earn $135,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,990 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $63,270 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Louisiana?
About 910 commercial pilots are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.