Pilot Jobs by State
By Renzo, CPL · Updated March 2026
The U.S. aviation industry employs over 170,000 airline pilots and flight engineers, with demand growing due to the ongoing pilot shortage. Whether you are looking for your first flying job or a major airline position, your location matters. Each state offers different opportunities based on its airports, airline hubs, military bases, and corporate flight departments. Browse all 50 states below to find pilot jobs near you.
50
States Covered
170K+
U.S. Airline Pilots
$198K
Median Salary (BLS)
30-50%
Pay Increase Since 2020
Top States for Pilot Jobs
These states have the highest concentration of airline hubs, pilot bases, flight training programs, and aviation employers in the country.
Arizona
AZ$90,000 - $200,000
5 airports · 4 airlines · ~60 flight schools
California
CA$100,000 - $250,000
5 airports · 6 airlines · ~200 flight schools
Colorado
CO$95,000 - $220,000
4 airports · 3 airlines · ~45 flight schools
Florida
FL$90,000 - $220,000
5 airports · 6 airlines · ~250 flight schools
Georgia
GA$95,000 - $230,000
3 airports · 4 airlines · ~50 flight schools
Illinois
IL$95,000 - $240,000
4 airports · 5 airlines · ~55 flight schools
New York
NY$100,000 - $250,000
5 airports · 5 airlines · ~40 flight schools
Texas
TX$95,000 - $240,000
5 airports · 6 airlines · ~150 flight schools
Virginia
VA$95,000 - $230,000
4 airports · 4 airlines · ~35 flight schools
Washington
WA$95,000 - $230,000
4 airports · 4 airlines · ~40 flight schools
All 50 States
U.S. Pilot Job Market Overview (2026)
The U.S. aviation industry is experiencing one of the strongest pilot job markets in history. The combination of post-pandemic travel recovery, mandatory retirements of Baby Boomer-era pilots, and increased airline capacity has created a supply-demand imbalance that favors job seekers.
Major airlines like Delta, United, and American are each hiring 1,000-2,000 pilots per year, while regional carriers are offering signing bonuses of $20,000-$40,000 to attract new first officers. Cargo carriers like FedEx and UPS continue to offer the highest compensation packages, with senior captains earning over $400,000 annually.
For new pilots, the path typically starts with flight training (costing $60,000-$100,000), followed by time-building as a flight instructor or in other entry-level roles, then advancement to regional and eventually major airlines. The entire journey from zero experience to a major airline seat typically takes 6-10 years.
Related Resources
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