Commercial Pilot salary in Montana
Commercial Pilots in Montana earn a median of $103,690 a year, based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $226,770 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $123,220. Montana ranks 34th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.65 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,440 |
| 25th percentile | $87,190 |
| Median | $103,690 |
| 75th percentile | $131,360 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $226,770 |
| Average (mean) | $128,170 |
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 | $8,640.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,320.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,988.08 |
| Weekly | $1,994.04 |
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 $103,690 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 cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $137,430 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $105,830 | 50 |
| Missoula, MT | $104,260 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $41,860 | $20.12 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,620 | $17.61 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Montana is $103,690 a year. Pay ranges from $73,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $226,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Montana?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Montana earn at least $226,770 a year. The top 25% earn $131,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,440 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $87,190 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Montana?
About 330 commercial pilots are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.