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Airline Pilot Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

an Airline Pilot pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $143,580/yr — 38% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #29 of 37 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Airline Pilot.

Median salary
$143,580/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$124,450 – $164,360
National median
$232,140/yr
Employed in Tennessee
110

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$143,580
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $156,235
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #27 of 37 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #29 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do airline pilot professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $143,580 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $124,450 and $164,360. That's 38% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for airline pilot?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #29 of 37 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $156,235. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #27 of 37 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #29 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are airline pilot professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 110 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Airline Pilot nationally — Tennessee pay is 38% below the national median. See the full an Airline Pilot career guide →

The verdict

Yes long-term, but the road is expensive and slow — senior airline captains earn exceptional pay, yet you face six-figure training costs and years of low regional pay first. Worth it if you're committed to the career and can weather the ramp-up.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Exceptional pay ceiling for senior airline captains
  • Strong long-term demand and hiring
  • Travel and a non-desk lifestyle
  • Clear seniority-based progression
  • Strong union protections at major airlines

Cons

  • Six-figure training and licensing costs
  • Years of low regional pay before top salaries
  • Time away from home; irregular schedule
  • Strict medical and recurrent-training requirements
  • Seniority system means slow early progression

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People committed to aviation long-term
  • Those who can fund or finance training
  • Anyone who values travel over routine

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing high pay quickly
  • Those who can't handle time away from home

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Airline Pilot is worth it — titles link to the original threads.