Airline Pilot salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An Airline Pilot in California earns a median of $353,900 a year ($170.14/hour equivalent), 52.5% above the national median of $232,140. California ranks #4 of 37 states. About 10,670 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $215,677 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $8,295 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $13,611.54
- Federal income tax
- −$3,346.13
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$439.96
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$250.64
- California income tax
- −$1,102.60
- CA SDI
- −$176.95
- Take-home pay
- $8,295.26
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $353,900
- Federal
- $86,999
- FICA
- $17,956
- State + local
- $33,268
- Net
- $215,677
- Marginal federal rate
- 35.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgia | $618,090 |
| #2 | Idaho | $507,640 |
| #3 | Michigan | $428,570 |
| #4 | California | $353,900 |
| #5 | Kentucky | $350,950 |
| #35 | Louisiana | $120,740 |
| #36 | New Hampshire | $99,280 |
| #37 | Missouri | $97,680 |
See the national Airline Pilot salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (SOC 53-2011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Airline Pilot make in California?
The median salary is $353,900 a year and the average is $310,190 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for airline pilots?
California ranks #4 of 37 states for median pay in this job, 52% above the national median of $232,140.
What is $353,900 after taxes in California?
About $215,677 a year ($8,295 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.