Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $353,900 | $294,133 | +20% |
| Median hourly wage | $170.14 | $141.41 | +20% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $319,693.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Airline Pilot in California is $353,900, or about $170.14 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Airline Pilots is $294,133. California is +20% above the national median.
Entry-level airline pilots in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 10,670 airline pilot jobs on record and a median salary of $353,900, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.