How much does a commercial pilot make in Chicago?
$157,400a year
Median yearly pay for commercial pilots in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $75.68 an hour or $13,120 a month.
- Hourly
- $75.68
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 23 of 157
- Jobs in the area
- 840
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,890Median: $157,400Highest 10%: $376,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,890 | $24.95 | |
| 25th | $72,090 | $34.66 | |
| Median | $157,400 | $75.68 | |
| 75th | $227,800 | $109.54 | |
| 90th | $376,800 | $181.17 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for commercial pilots.
| St. Louis, MO | $91,540 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| 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 a commercial pilot make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $75.68 ($157,400 a year).
Do commercial pilots make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $157,400 against $123,200 nationally, 28% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $126,100, so Chicago pays 25% more.
Where does Chicago rank for commercial pilot pay?
23 of 157 metro areas with data.
How much does a commercial pilot make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $376,800 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.