Commercial Pilots pay range in Bismarck
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $372,360 or more. The middle half of commercial pilots in Bismarck earn between $92,880 and $285,690.
- $82K10th
- $93K25th
- $138KMedian
- $286K75th
- $372K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $187,480 | $15,623 | — |
| Median | $137,510 | $11,459 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $92,880 | $7,740 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $285,690 | $23,808 | — |
*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 Bismarck vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Commercial pilots in Bismarck earn 19% more than the North Dakota average ($157,900) and 28% more than the U.S. average ($146,080). At the median the gap is +12% against the U.S. median of $123,220.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $187,480 | $137,510 | $81,730 | $372,360 | 80 |
| North Dakota | $157,900 | $133,010 | $65,630 | $237,050 | 370 |
| 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 Bismarck
On the average salary of $187,480, a single filer in Bismarck takes home about $137,218 a year, or $11,435 a month and $5,278 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Bismarck a good place for commercial pilots? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Bismarck area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.0), so the average $187,480 buys what about $205,968 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Bismarck ($52,560). A typical home costs $356,992, or 1.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Commercial Pilots salary in other North Dakota cities
Bismarck ranks 1st of 3 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Bismarck$187,480
- Fargo$145,070
- Grand Forks$127,500
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
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Commercial Pilots salary in Bismarck: questions
What is the entry-level commercial pilots salary in Bismarck?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $92,880, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the commercial pilots take-home pay in Bismarck?
About $137,218 a year ($11,435 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $187,480.
Do commercial pilots earn more in Bismarck than elsewhere?
The average here is 28% more 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 Bismarck, ND (13900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 15.3%.
- 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 3.56, this job is 3.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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