Commercial Pilot salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Commercial Pilots in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $131,590 a year, based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,930 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 12% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $117,480. There are 0.34 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,830 |
| 25th percentile | $74,770 |
| Median | $131,590 |
| 75th percentile | $189,320 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,930 |
| Average (mean) | $137,480 |
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 | $10,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,482.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,061.15 |
| Weekly | $2,530.58 |
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 $131,590 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $130,630 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $123,000 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $122,420 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $114,350 | 30 |
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $155,540 | $74.78 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,400 | $14.61 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $52,100 | $25.05 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $131,590 a year. Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $218,930 a year. The top 25% earn $189,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,830 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $74,770 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 370 commercial pilots are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.