Pilot Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Pilots operate aircraft to transport passengers and cargo, navigating routes safely under FAA regulations across major airlines, cargo carriers, corporate aviation, and specialty operations.
National Median
$219,140
Best State (Net)
$166,643
Texas
Take-Home TX
$162,743
No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Key Facts — Pilot 2026
BLS median: $219,140 for airline pilots, copilots & flight engineers (BLS May 2023 OES)
1500-hour ATP minimum requires substantial flight training investment
Major airline seniority game means 8–15 years to senior captain
TX hosts AA HQ (Fort Worth) and Southwest HQ (Dallas) — major hubs
No-state-tax states (FL, TX, NV) attract pilots even when based elsewhere
Salary by Experience Level
Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII)
$65,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$54,276
Building hours toward ATP minimums
Regional First Officer
$90,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$71,903
Entry to airline career
Major Airline First Officer
$200,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$148,663
AA, UA, DL, FedEx, Southwest
Major Airline Captain (Wide-body)
$380,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$266,532
Senior captain with international routes
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Wide-body Captain (UA, AA, FedEx) | $482,108 | +120% |
| Cargo Pilot (FedEx, UPS, Atlas) | $394,452 | +80% |
| Corporate Pilot (Senior) | $317,753 | +45% |
| Helicopter (Oil & Gas, EMS) | $197,226 | -10% |
| Charter Pilot (Part 135) | $153,398 | -30% |
| Regional Captain | $219,140 | 0% |
Best States for Pilots — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Pilot Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $225,000 | $166,643 | |
| $220,000 | $163,315 | |
| $230,000 | $160,510 | |
| $215,000 | $159,846 | |
| $230,000 | $158,167 | |
| $210,000 | $151,243 | |
| $215,000 | $150,846 | |
8Utah | $215,000 | $150,746 |
| $215,000 | $150,346 | |
10Illinois | $215,000 | $149,946 |
| $215,000 | $149,846 | |
| $200,000 | $148,663 | |
| $200,000 | $148,663 | |
14Virginia | $215,000 | $148,346 |
| $215,000 | $147,106 | |
16New York | $215,000 | $146,146 |
| $195,000 | $144,936 | |
18Hawaii | $220,000 | $144,865 |
| $220,000 | $144,250 | |
20Maryland | $205,000 | $143,366 |
| $220,000 | $143,123 | |
| $200,000 | $142,984 | |
| $190,000 | $141,208 | |
24Michigan | $200,000 | $140,801 |
25Missouri | $200,000 | $139,506 |
| $200,000 | $139,413 | |
27Ohio | $195,000 | $138,636 |
28Indiana | $190,000 | $135,696 |
| $190,000 | $134,208 | |
| $190,000 | $131,933 | |
31Alabama | $185,000 | $130,681 |
| $185,000 | $130,511 | |
33Oregon | $200,000 | $130,348 |
| $185,000 | $130,256 | |
| $170,000 | $127,197 | |
| $170,000 | $127,197 | |
| $175,000 | $126,615 | |
| $185,000 | $126,601 | |
39Oklahoma | $180,000 | $126,195 |
40Kansas | $180,000 | $125,782 |
41Delaware | $180,000 | $124,957 |
42Idaho | $180,000 | $124,462 |
43Maine | $180,000 | $122,235 |
44Iowa | $175,000 | $121,495 |
45Vermont | $180,000 | $121,492 |
46Nebraska | $175,000 | $121,271 |
47Montana | $175,000 | $121,175 |
| $165,000 | $117,780 | |
| $160,000 | $113,837 | |
50Arkansas | $150,000 | $107,587 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Pilot
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Pilot Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$130,681
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$144,936
net
Arizona
$151,243
net
Arkansas
$107,587
net
California
$144,250
net
Colorado
$160,510
net
Connecticut
$139,413
net
Delaware
$124,957
net
FloridaNo state tax
$159,846
net
Georgia
$158,167
net
Hawaii
$144,865
net
Idaho
$124,462
net
Illinois
$149,946
net
Indiana
$135,696
net
Iowa
$121,495
net
Kansas
$125,782
net
Kentucky
$150,846
net
Louisiana
$130,256
net
Maine
$122,235
net
Maryland
$143,366
net
Massachusetts
$149,846
net
Michigan
$140,801
net
Minnesota
$143,123
net
Mississippi
$117,780
net
Missouri
$139,506
net
Montana
$121,175
net
Nebraska
$121,271
net
NevadaNo state tax
$148,663
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$141,208
net
New Jersey
$147,106
net
New Mexico
$130,511
net
New York
$146,146
net
North Carolina
$150,346
net
North Dakota
$126,615
net
Ohio
$138,636
net
Oklahoma
$126,195
net
Oregon
$130,348
net
Pennsylvania
$142,984
net
Rhode Island
$134,208
net
South Carolina
$126,601
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$127,197
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$148,663
net
TexasNo state tax
$166,643
net
Utah
$150,746
net
Vermont
$121,492
net
Virginia
$148,346
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$163,315
net
West Virginia
$113,837
net
Wisconsin
$131,933
net
WyomingNo state tax
$127,197
net