How much does an airline pilot make in California?
$353,900a year
Median yearly pay for airline pilots in California. That is $170.14 an hour or $29,490 a month.
- Hourly
- $170.14
- Vs. national median
- +52%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 37
- Jobs in the state
- 10,670
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $179,300Median: $353,900Highest 10%: $427,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $179,300 | $86.19 | |
| 25th | $208,100 | $100.03 | |
| Median | $353,900 | $170.14 | |
| 75th | $390,300 | $187.63 | |
| 90th | $427,700 | $205.61 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $374,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $364,700 |
| San Jose, CA | $343,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $322,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $207,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $195,300 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for airline pilots.
| 1. Georgia | $618,100 |
| 2. Idaho | $507,600 |
| 3. Michigan | $428,600 |
| 4. California | $353,900 |
| 5. Kentucky | $351,000 |
| 6. Colorado | $307,500 |
| 7. Illinois | $293,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an airline pilot make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $170.14 ($353,900 a year).
Do airline pilots make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $353,900 against $232,100 nationally, 52% more.
Where does California rank for airline pilot pay?
California ranks 4 of 37 states.
Which city in California pays airline pilots the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $374,700 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.