Commercial Pilot salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Commercial Pilots in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $149,200 a year, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $270,020 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 10% lower than the California statewide median of $165,590. There are 0.31 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $161,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,190 |
| 25th percentile | $83,550 |
| Median | $149,200 |
| 75th percentile | $226,670 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $270,020 |
| Average (mean) | $161,510 |
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 | $12,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,216.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,738.46 |
| Weekly | $2,869.23 |
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 $149,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $274,730 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $173,070 | 380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,420 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $140,920 | 50 |
| Redding, CA | $135,340 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,080 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,570 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $123,880 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $119,400 | 120 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $115,450 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $112,320 | 250 |
| Fresno, CA | $112,000 | 80 |
| Salinas, CA | $102,580 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,300 | 150 |
| Visalia, CA | $75,600 | 40 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.55 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Parking Attendant | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $40,570 | $19.50 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $66,900 | $32.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $149,200 a year. Pay ranges from $73,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $270,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $270,020 a year. The top 25% earn $226,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,190 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $83,550 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 60 commercial pilots are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.