Commercial Pilots pay range in New Orleans
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,060 a year or less, while the top 10% make $169,410 or more. The middle half of commercial pilots in New Orleans earn between $95,940 and $147,840.
- $71K10th
- $96K25th
- $136KMedian
- $148K75th
- $169K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $132,650 | $11,054 | — |
| Median | $135,950 | $11,329 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $95,940 | $7,995 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $147,840 | $12,320 | — |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.
Commercial Pilots pay in New Orleans vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Commercial pilots in New Orleans earn 21% more than the Louisiana average ($109,200) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($146,080). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $123,220.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $132,650 | $135,950 | $71,060 | $169,410 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $109,200 | $95,940 | $46,990 | $169,410 | 910 |
| United States | $146,080 | $123,220 | $58,850 | $266,620 | 47,630 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Commercial Pilots salary after taxes in New Orleans
On the average salary of $132,650, a single filer in New Orleans takes home about $98,339 a year, or $8,195 a month and $3,782 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is New Orleans a good place for commercial pilots? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the New Orleans area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $132,650 buys what about $143,255 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.9 times the median wage of all jobs in New Orleans ($47,290). A typical home costs $261,414, or 2.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Commercial Pilots salary in other Louisiana cities
New Orleans ranks 1st of 6 Louisiana metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- New Orleans$132,650
- Houma$110,810
- Baton Rouge$104,480
- Lake Charles$101,420
- Lafayette$94,530
- Monroe$89,950
Highest-paying cities for commercial pilots
Waterbury, CT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($267,680).
- Waterbury, CT$267,680
- Kiryas Joel, NY$226,850
- Bridgeport, CT$226,590
- Santa Rosa, CA$218,810
- Louisville, KY$210,350
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Commercial Pilots salary in New Orleans: questions
What is the entry-level commercial pilots salary in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,060 a year and the 25th percentile is $95,940, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the commercial pilots take-home pay in New Orleans?
About $98,339 a year ($8,195 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,650.
Do commercial pilots earn more in New Orleans than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($146,080).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-2012; area New Orleans-Metairie, LA (35380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.99, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.