As of October 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Cargo Pilot in the US is $143,380, equivalent to $69 per hour, $2,757 weekly, or $11,948 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Cargo Pilot in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Cargo Pilot in the US vary widely, spanning from $116,745 to $171,577. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($129,438) and 75th percentile ($158,139), while top earners (90th percentile) make $171,577 per year. This $28,701 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Safety Management, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Cargo Pilot often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 32 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Cargo Pilot Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Cargo Pilot Salary $116,745 US October 01, 2026
25th Percentile Cargo Pilot Salary $129,438 US October 01, 2026
50th Percentile Cargo Pilot Salary $143,380 US October 01, 2026
75th Percentile Cargo Pilot Salary $158,139 US October 01, 2026
90th Percentile Cargo Pilot Salary $171,577 US October 01, 2026
25% $129,438 10% $116,745 90% $171,577 75% $158,139 $143,380 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria

Cargo Pilot

Review the job openings, similar jobs, level of education, and experience requirements for the Cargo Pilot job to confirm that it is the job you are seeking.

See user submitted job responsibilities for Cargo Pilot.

Job Openings for Cargo Pilot

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Pilot I

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Cargo Pilot

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Pilot III

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Cargo Pilot, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
129438
158139
143380

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
155646
222500
186086
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Cargo Pilot in the United States. The base salary for Cargo Pilot ranges from $129,438 to $158,139 with the average base salary of $143,380. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $155,646 to $222,500 with the average total cash compensation of $186,086.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

129438
158139

 

Recently searched related titles: Aircraft Captain