Earnings
Commercial pilots earned salaries that ranged from $59,330 to $239,200 in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They earned a median salary of $122,670. ZipRecruiter reported average annual earnings of $130,916 for space pilots, with some earning up to $201,000, in May 2025. Astronauts, in general, may earn $100,000 a year and up. Experienced space pilots may land even higher earnings.
Employers offer a variety of benefit packages, which can include any of the following: paid holidays, vacations, and sick days; personal days; medical, dental, and life insurance; profit-sharing plans; 401(k) plans; retirement and pension plans; and educational assistance programs.
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