Commercial Pilot salary in South Carolina
Commercial Pilots in South Carolina earn a median of $105,740 a year, based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,920 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $123,220. South Carolina ranks 28th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.13 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $108,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,720 |
| 25th percentile | $77,710 |
| Median | $105,740 |
| 75th percentile | $127,170 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,920 |
| Average (mean) | $108,640 |
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 | $8,811.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,405.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,066.92 |
| Weekly | $2,033.46 |
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 $105,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $144,750 | 430 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $122,230 | 40 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $118,980 | 50 |
| Columbia, SC | $92,300 | 60 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $112,030 | $53.86 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,490 | $14.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for commercial pilots in South Carolina is $105,740 a year. Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in South Carolina earn at least $164,920 a year. The top 25% earn $127,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,720 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $77,710 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in South Carolina?
About 290 commercial pilots are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.