Commercial Pilot salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Commercial Pilots in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $205,700 a year, based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $304,560 for the top 10%. That is 67% higher than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 9% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $226,710. There are 0.23 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $183,200, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,350 |
| 25th percentile | $124,370 |
| Median | $205,700 |
| 75th percentile | $258,320 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $304,560 |
| Average (mean) | $183,200 |
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 | $17,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,911.54 |
| Weekly | $3,955.77 |
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 $205,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $225,900 | 1,210 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $170,600 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $158,670 | 310 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,720 | $16.69 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $205,700 a year. Pay ranges from $62,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $304,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $304,560 a year. The top 25% earn $258,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,350 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $124,370 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 50 commercial pilots are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.