Commercial Pilots pay range in Rochester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $260,040 or more. The middle half of commercial pilots in Rochester earn between $75,480 and $176,880.
- $63K10th
- $75K25th
- $129KMedian
- $177K75th
- $260K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $137,000 | $11,417 | — |
| Median | $129,350 | $10,779 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $75,480 | $6,290 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $176,880 | $14,740 | — |
*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 Rochester vs. New York and the U.S.
Commercial pilots in Rochester earn 26% less than the New York average ($184,580) and 6% less than the U.S. average ($146,080). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $123,220.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $137,000 | $129,350 | $63,080 | $260,040 | 40 |
| New York | $184,580 | $177,430 | $63,080 | $297,680 | 1,070 |
| 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 Rochester
On the average salary of $137,000, a single filer in Rochester takes home about $97,734 a year, or $8,144 a month and $3,759 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is Rochester a good place for commercial pilots? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Rochester area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.0), so the average $137,000 buys what about $141,186 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Rochester ($51,210). A typical home costs $285,034, or 2.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Commercial Pilots salary in other New York cities
Rochester ranks 4th of 4 New York metro areas for this job; Kiryas Joel pays the most ($226,850).
- Kiryas Joel$226,850
- New York$204,770
- Buffalo$161,860
- Rochester$137,000
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 Rochester: questions
What is the entry-level commercial pilots salary in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $75,480, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the commercial pilots take-home pay in Rochester?
About $97,734 a year ($8,144 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $137,000. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do commercial pilots earn more in Rochester than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% 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 Rochester, NY (40380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.5%.
- 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 (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.24, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.24).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.