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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot in Minnesota is $86,192 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $96,115 | $8,010 | $1,848 | $46 |
| Average | $86,192 | $7,183 | $1,658 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,100 | $6,258 | $1,444 | $36 |
U.S. Navy - Albert Lea, MN
U.S. Navy - Alexandria, MN
North Memorial Health - Brainerd, MN
InfoTree - Saint Paul, MN
A Pilot's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasury ... Level Pilot | $61,806 |
| Treasury ... Level Pilot | $75,635 |
| Pilot Level Pilot | $86,963 |
| Treasury ... Level Pilot | $130,556 |
| Treasury ... Level Pilot | $167,835 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Pilot positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $112,050 | $54.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $107,740 | $52.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $103,431 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $99,121 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $94,811 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Pilot's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $96,115 | $8,010 | $1,848 | $46 |
| Average | $86,192 | $7,183 | $1,658 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,100 | $6,258 | $1,444 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Pilot job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Cargill
Minneapolis, MN
Cargill | Minneapolis, MN
OverviewCargill's size and scale allows us to make a positive impact in the world.Our purpose is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainabl... more
7 Days Ago
SAIC
Farmington, MN
SAIC | Farmington, MN
DescriptionPLEASE NOTE :This is NOT a UAS, UAV, RPV, or DRONE pilot position.We are looking for Part-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidates to join t... more
4 Days Ago
Justhelicopters
Hibbing, MN
Justhelicopters | Hibbing, MN
Rotor Wing Pilot---Hibbing, MNUnited StatesApply for JobVisit Website---CategoryPilotsMinimum Certification RequiredCommercial Pilot With InstrumentMinimum... more
4 Days Ago
RVI
New Ulm, MN
RVI | New Ulm, MN
Job Description. Job Description. Showcase your skills with an established, yet growing, company that's been in business for over 29 years. At RVI, we offe... more
5 Days Ago
3M
Maplewood, MN
3M | Maplewood, MN
3M - - Responsibilities: Maintaining a safe working environment. Preparing and operating experimental, prototype or production equipment. Locating defects ... more
6 Days Ago
3M
Cottage Grove, MN
3M | Cottage Grove, MN
3M - - Responsibilities: Maintain a safe work environment for self, coworkers, and visitors including wearing PPE. Prepare and operate development equipmen... more
6 Days Ago
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