How Much Does a Commercial and Airline Pilot Make in the United States in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in the United States
$204,880/yr ($98.50/hr · $152,529 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$159,810 ($76.83/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$276,600 ($132.98/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$5,866.50
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$147.75/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $76.83/hr | $159,810 | −$39,826.87 | $119,983.13 | $4,614.74 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $98.50/hr | $204,880 | −$52,351.08 | $152,528.92 | $5,866.50 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $132.98/hr | $276,600 | −$76,725.55 | $199,874.45 | $7,687.48 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($96.53/hr)California ($116.23/hr)Florida ($93.57/hr)New York ($114.26/hr)Illinois ($101.45/hr)Arizona ($95.55/hr)New Jersey ($110.32/hr)Georgia ($94.56/hr)North Carolina ($93.57/hr)Washington ($113.27/hr)Pennsylvania ($97.52/hr)Ohio ($92.59/hr)Nevada ($96.53/hr)Colorado ($104.41/hr)Virginia ($103.43/hr)Massachusetts ($115.24/hr)Michigan ($94.56/hr)Tennessee ($90.62/hr)Indiana ($91.61/hr)Maryland ($106.38/hr)Minnesota ($102.44/hr)Missouri ($90.62/hr)Wisconsin ($95.55/hr)Oregon ($103.43/hr)Connecticut ($109.34/hr)Utah ($95.55/hr)South Carolina ($89.64/hr)Alabama ($86.68/hr)Louisiana ($87.67/hr)Kentucky ($87.67/hr)Oklahoma ($87.67/hr)Kansas ($90.62/hr)Iowa ($91.61/hr)New Mexico ($90.62/hr)Arkansas ($85.69/hr)Mississippi ($83.72/hr)Nebraska ($92.59/hr)Idaho ($91.61/hr)Hawaii ($106.38/hr)New Hampshire ($101.45/hr)Maine ($93.57/hr)Rhode Island ($100.47/hr)Montana ($90.62/hr)Delaware ($99.48/hr)South Dakota ($89.64/hr)North Dakota ($93.57/hr)Alaska ($107.37/hr)Vermont ($96.53/hr)West Virginia ($84.71/hr)Wyoming ($93.57/hr)