Commercial Pilot salary in Missoula, MT
Commercial Pilots in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $104,260 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,110 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 1% higher than the Montana statewide median of $103,690. There are 0.59 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,540 |
| 25th percentile | $100,220 |
| Median | $104,260 |
| 75th percentile | $130,590 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,110 |
| Average (mean) | $124,230 |
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 | $8,688.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,344.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,010 |
| Weekly | $2,005 |
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 $104,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $137,430 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $105,830 | 50 |
| Helena, MT | $100,940 | 50 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,500 | $28.13 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,900 | $20.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,270 | $22.24 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,980 | $17.30 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Missoula, MT metro area is $104,260 a year. Pay ranges from $85,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $174,110 a year. The top 25% earn $130,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,540 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $100,220 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Missoula, MT?
About 40 commercial pilots are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.