Airline Pilot.
Jackson.
$124,000
median salary, 22% below the national average
$77,000 to $186,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Airline Pilot salary in Jackson is $124,000, 22% below the national average. Entry level starts near $77,000. Experienced professionals push past $186,000. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $111,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$81,000
to $99,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$105,000
to $130,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$136,000
to $161,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$155,000
to $192,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $25,000 to the total package.
Base
$124,000
Equity
$14,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $149,000
How Jackson compares
Jackson, MS
$124,000
Cost of living: 21% below average
National Average
$158,000
Jackson is $34,000 below
Airline Pilot salary by city
Salary by role in Jackson
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Airline Pilot offer in Jackson, understand the terrain. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a major employer. Jackson offers some of the lowest living costs in the country, making even moderate salaries deliver substantial purchasing power. Airline size, aircraft type rating, and seniority number are the primary pay drivers. Captains at major carriers earn roughly double what regional first officers make. International long-haul routes and widebody type ratings command the highest premiums.
Regional first officers start at $55,000 to $98,000. Upgrading to captain at a regional brings $100,000 to $140,000. Transitioning to a major airline as a first officer pays $150,000 to $200,000, with captains earning $238,000 to $400,000 at top seniority. In Jackson, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 21% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation includes per diem allowances, profit sharing up to 15 to 20% of base, 401(k) matching, and flight-benefit travel. Major carriers also offer retention bonuses of $50,000 to $100,000. And on the tax side: mississippi's top income tax rate is 5%. Jackson has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means take home pay goes further here than almost any other metro. When someone quotes you $124,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against regional healthcare and government pay scales. Jackson employers offer competitive benefits packages to compensate for lower base salaries. The range for Airline Pilots in Jackson runs from $77,000 to $186,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Fintech Product Manager in Jackson earns $125,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Jackson is Chief AI Officer at $245,000
Common questions.
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Other salaries in Jackson
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