Commercial Pilot salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Commercial Pilots in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $80,160 a year, based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,650 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 24% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $104,890. There are 0.24 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $105,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,110 |
| 25th percentile | $77,300 |
| Median | $80,160 |
| 75th percentile | $125,520 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,650 |
| Average (mean) | $105,720 |
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 | $6,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,083.08 |
| Weekly | $1,541.54 |
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 $80,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $172,320 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $144,750 | 430 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $137,180 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $133,870 | 110 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,600 | 140 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $128,170 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,850 | 510 |
| Richmond, VA | $119,710 | 120 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $119,230 | $57.32 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $86,940 | $41.80 |
| Ship Engineer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,700 | $15.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $80,160 a year. Pay ranges from $50,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $197,650 a year. The top 25% earn $125,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,110 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $77,300 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 180 commercial pilots are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.