US
Tucson, AZ
Arizona salary market
$116K
Avg / Year
-5% vs U.S.
vs National
140
Employment
$9.7K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Commercial Pilot Salary in Tucson, AZ (2026)

The Commercial Pilot salary in Tucson, AZ for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Tucson, AZ market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Tucson, AZ city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$116K
per year
Entry Level
$68.0K
starting range
Senior Level
$152K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$118K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$9.7K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
N/A
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Commercial Pilot Salary Overview in Tucson, AZ

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Commercial Pilot pay in Tucson, AZ at about $116,008 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $59,950.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $153,250.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Tucson, Az metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Commercial Pilot salaries in Tucson, AZ, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Tucson, AZ vs. U.S. National Average

Tucson, AZ pays -5% vs u.s. for Commercial Pilot roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$123K
all U.S. markets combined
-5%
Tucson, AZ Premium
Tucson, AZ City Average
$116K
Commercial Pilot
MarketProjected Salaryvs Tucson, AZMarket Maturity
Tucson, AZ (this guide)$116,008BaselineLocal market
United States$122,670+6% vs U.S.National baseline
Phoenix, AZ$109,270-6% vs U.S.Comparable city
Prescott Valley, AZ$90,350.0-22% vs U.S.Comparable city
Flagstaff, AZ$66,390.0-43% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Tucson, AZ pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Commercial Pilot Salary by Experience Level in Tucson, AZ

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Tucson, AZ, this breakdown shows how aCommercial Pilot can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$106K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$68.0K - $116K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$116K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$106K - $152K
Senior
6-10 years
$152K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$116K - $174K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$174K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$152K - $212K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Commercial Pilot0-2 years$105,664$67,996.0 - $116,008-14% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Commercial Pilot3-5 years$116,008$105,664 - $151,759-5% vs U.S.
Senior Commercial Pilot6-10 years$151,759$116,008 - $173,819+24% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Commercial Pilot10+ years$173,819$151,759 - $212,059+42% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Tucson, AZ

Nearby metro areas help show how Commercial Pilot pay changes around Tucson, AZ. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Tucson, AZ
$116K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Tucson, Az metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Phoenix, AZ
$109K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Commercial Pilot salaries around Tucson, AZ.
-6% vs U.S.
#3
Prescott Valley, AZ
$90.4K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Commercial Pilot salaries around Tucson, AZ.
-22% vs U.S.
#4
Flagstaff, AZ
$66.4K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Commercial Pilot salaries around Tucson, AZ.
-43% vs U.S.
#5
Phoenix, AZ
$98.3K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Commercial Pilot salaries around Tucson, AZ.
-15% vs U.S.

Commercial Pilot Salary by Industry in Tucson, AZ

Industry premiums in Tucson, AZ usually come from employers that place the Commercial Pilot role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Finance and Insurance$215,440$92,050.0 - N/AStronger salary
Information$210,390$58,290.0 - N/AStronger salary
Utilities$173,660$115,290 - $229,140Stronger salary
Manufacturing$165,920$82,340.0 - N/ACompetitive
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$161,130$53,610.0 - $196,990Competitive
Construction$155,290$88,030.0 - $224,990Competitive
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing$155,280$97,250.0 - N/ACompetitive
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation$153,610$74,400.0 - $226,740Competitive

Entry-Level Commercial Pilot Salary in Tucson, AZ

Entry-level Commercial Pilot jobs in Tucson, AZ are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Commercial Pilot salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles in Tucson, AZ is about $105,664.
Preparation pathJob Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Remote vs Onsite Commercial Pilot Pay in Tucson, AZ

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Commercial Pilot candidates in Tucson, AZ. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$116,008
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$118,328
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$113,688Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$118,328Metro dependentTucson, AZ employersMedium
Onsite$116,008Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Tucson, AZ

A salary in Tucson, AZ should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.5K
$2.1K
$2.7K
Transport / commute
$338.4
$386.7
$435.0
Food and groceries
$725.1
$773.4
$870.1
Utilities and internet
$338.4
$386.7
$435.0
Estimated remainder
$3.3K
$5.0K
$6.2K
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Top Employers Hiring Commercial Pilots in Tucson, AZ

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Commercial Pilot pay tends to be strongest in Tucson, AZ, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Finance and Insurance employers
$215K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Information employers
$210K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Utilities employers
$174K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Manufacturing employers
$166K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services employers
$161K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Construction employers
$155K
Industry benchmark for Commercial Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Tucson, AZ Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherTucson, AZ is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Commercial Pilot work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Tucson, AZ
This guide
$116K
Baseline
Phoenix, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$109K
-6% vs U.S.
Prescott Valley, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$90.4K
-22% vs U.S.
Flagstaff, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$66.4K
-43% vs U.S.
Phoenix, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$98.3K
-15% vs U.S.
Sierra Vista, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$91.2K
-21% vs U.S.
Flagstaff, AZ
Nearby U.S. market
$63.2K
-46% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Tucson, AZ

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$71.1K - $95.7K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$88.3K - $117K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$110K - $137K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$133K - $172K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$157K - $199K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$184K - $252K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 5.1% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 6.6 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment55.4k → 58.3k
Typical educationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related experiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Local market anchor140 jobs with a median of $116,008

Factors Affecting Commercial Pilot Salary in Tucson, AZ

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Commercial Pilot Salary in Tucson, AZ

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Commercial Pilot Salary in Tucson, AZ: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Commercial Pilot" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Commercial Pilot in Tucson, AZs salary?
The latest national baseline for Commercial Pilots is about $122,700 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Commercial Pilot in Tucson, AZs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Commercial Pilots are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $59,300 per year nationally.
How much can senior Commercial Pilot in Tucson, AZs professionals earn?
Senior Commercial Pilots estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $175,100 per year nationally.
Does location affect Commercial Pilot in Tucson, AZs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Commercial Pilot in Tucson, AZs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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