How much does an airline pilot make in Chicago?
$293,500a year
Median yearly pay for airline pilots in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $141.10 an hour or $24,460 a month.
- Hourly
- $141.10
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 46
- Jobs in the area
- 6,360
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $179,800Median: $293,500Highest 10%: $429,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $179,800 | $86.46 | |
| 25th | $205,500 | $98.79 | |
| Median | $293,500 | $141.10 | |
| 75th | $420,300 | $202.06 | |
| 90th | $429,000 | $206.27 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for airline pilots.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an airline pilot make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $141.10 ($293,500 a year).
Do airline pilots make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $293,500 against $232,100 nationally, 26% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $293,500, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for airline pilot pay?
12 of 46 metro areas with data.
How much does an airline pilot make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $179,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $429,000 or more.
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.