US
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota salary market
$209K
Avg / Year
-8% vs U.S.
vs National
N/A
Employment
$17.4K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Airline Pilot Salary in Minneapolis, MN (2026)

The Airline Pilot salary in Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, MN market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets. Official BLS and O*NET title: "Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers".

Official BLS baseline: 2024Minneapolis, MN city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$209K
per year
Entry Level
$124K
starting range
Senior Level
$257K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$214K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$17.4K
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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Airline Pilot Salary Overview in Minneapolis, MN

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Airline Pilot pay in Minneapolis, MN at about $209,332 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $109,580, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about N/A.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Mn-Wi metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as St. Paul, and Bloomington.

If you’re comparing Airline Pilot salaries in Minneapolis, MN, 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.

Minneapolis, MN vs. U.S. National Average

Minneapolis, MN pays -8% vs u.s. for Airline 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
$227K
all U.S. markets combined
-8%
Minneapolis, MN Premium
Minneapolis, MN City Average
$209K
Airline Pilot
MarketProjected Salaryvs Minneapolis, MNMarket Maturity
Minneapolis, MN (this guide)$209,332BaselineLocal market
United States$226,600+8% vs U.S.National baseline
Why Minneapolis, MN 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.

Airline Pilot Salary by Experience Level in Minneapolis, MN

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

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$158K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$124K - $209K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$209K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$158K - $257K
Senior
6-10 years
$257K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$209K - $327K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$327K
N/A/hr median equivalent
$257K - $399K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Airline Pilot0-2 years$158,054$124,288 - $209,332-30% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Airline Pilot3-5 years$209,332$158,054 - $257,196-8% vs U.S.
Senior Airline Pilot6-10 years$257,196$209,332 - $326,639+14% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Airline Pilot10+ years$326,639$257,196 - $398,500+44% vs U.S.

Airline Pilot Salary by Industry in Minneapolis, MN

Industry premiums in Minneapolis, MN usually come from employers that place the Airline 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
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$162,290$73,810.0 - $192,650Stronger salary
Wholesale Trade$141,540$122,200 - $145,840Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$130,980$98,550.0 - $171,390Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$130,980$97,010.0 - $171,450Competitive
Manufacturing$94,720.0$83,720.0 - $184,110Competitive
Health Care and Social Assistance$93,660.0$82,330.0 - $162,260Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$85,610.0$52,570.0 - $132,500Competitive
Educational Services$68,870.0$51,490.0 - $160,140Competitive

Entry-Level Airline Pilot Salary in Minneapolis, MN

Entry-level Airline Pilot jobs in Minneapolis, MN 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 Airline Pilot salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Airline Pilot roles in Minneapolis, MN is about $158,054.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Airline Pilot Pay in Minneapolis, MN

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

Local Onsite Role
$209,332
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$213,519
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$205,145Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$213,519Metro dependentMinneapolis, MN employersMedium
Onsite$209,332Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Minneapolis, MN

A salary in Minneapolis, MN 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
$2.8K
$3.8K
$4.9K
Transport / commute
$610.6
$697.8
$785.0
Food and groceries
$1.3K
$1.4K
$1.6K
Utilities and internet
$610.6
$697.8
$785.0
Estimated remainder
$5.9K
$9.1K
$11.2K
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Top Employers Hiring Airline Pilots in Minneapolis, MN

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

1
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$162K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Wholesale Trade employers
$142K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$131K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$131K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Manufacturing employers
$94.7K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$93.7K
Industry benchmark for Airline Pilot roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Career Growth Opportunities in Minneapolis, MN

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
$131K - $177K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$163K - $215K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$204K - $254K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$245K - $317K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$290K - $367K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$340K - $465K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 3.9% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 11.7 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment100k → 103.9k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchorN/A jobs with a median of $209,332

Factors Affecting Airline Pilot Salary in Minneapolis, MN

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 Airline Pilot Salary in Minneapolis, MN

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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Airline Pilot Salary in Minneapolis, MN: 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 "Airline Pilot" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Airline Pilot in Minneapolis, MNs, Copilots, & Flight Engineers salary?
The latest national baseline for Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers is about $226,600 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Airline Pilot in Minneapolis, MNs, Copilots, & Flight Engineers salary?
Entry-level estimates for Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $98,600 per year nationally.
How much can senior Airline Pilot in Minneapolis, MNs, Copilots, & Flight Engineers professionals earn?
Senior Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $283,300 per year nationally.
Does location affect Airline Pilot in Minneapolis, MNs, Copilots, & Flight Engineers 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 Airline Pilot in Minneapolis, MNs, Copilots, & Flight Engineers 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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