National Salary Overview
VS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $80,982 more (60.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$133,445
$214,427
Average (Mean) Salary
$132,408
$221,734
Total Employment
20,850
86,860
States with Higher Pay
4
29
Salary by State: Air Traffic Controllers vs Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Showing 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. Air Traffic Controllers pays more in 4 states; Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 29.
| State | Air Traffic Controllers | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $114,960 | $136,990 | $-22,030 | ||
| Alaska | $123,950 | $232,140 | $-108,190 | ||
| Arizona | $136,800 | $227,870 | $-91,070 | ||
| Arkansas | $109,760 | $168,970 | $-59,210 | ||
| California | $160,080 | $353,900 | $-193,820 | ||
| Colorado | $177,380 | $307,490 | $-130,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $140,940 | $199,870 | $-58,930 | ||
| Florida | $147,530 | $225,020 | $-77,490 | ||
| Georgia | $178,420 | $618,090 | $-439,670 | ||
| Illinois | $181,560 | $293,490 | $-111,930 | ||
| Indiana | $158,810 | $171,260 | $-12,450 | ||
| Iowa | $90,790 | $131,730 | $-40,940 | ||
| Kansas | $159,700 | $143,580 | +$16,120 | ||
| Kentucky | $127,800 | $350,950 | $-223,150 | ||
| Louisiana | $99,810 | $120,740 | $-20,930 | ||
| Maine | $107,270 | $147,930 | $-40,660 | ||
| Michigan | $118,930 | $428,570 | $-309,640 | ||
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $211,470 | $-34,630 | ||
| Mississippi | $88,110 | $143,580 | $-55,470 | ||
| Missouri | $122,200 | $97,680 | +$24,520 | ||
| Nebraska | $111,710 | $131,650 | $-19,940 | ||
| Nevada | $140,920 | $192,460 | $-51,540 | ||
| New Mexico | $148,550 | $136,990 | +$11,560 | ||
| New York | $144,960 | $255,240 | $-110,280 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,230 | $151,540 | $-22,310 | ||
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | $133,680 | $-10,460 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | $164,990 | $-32,640 | ||
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | $164,880 | $-38,580 | ||
| South Carolina | $112,030 | $143,580 | $-31,550 | ||
| Tennessee | $157,330 | $143,580 | +$13,750 | ||
| Texas | $170,080 | $215,150 | $-45,070 | ||
| Utah | $158,310 | $174,590 | $-16,280 | ||
| Washington | $162,570 | $229,900 | $-67,330 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Air Traffic Controllers vs Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Air Traffic Controllers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Air Traffic Controllers. The national median salary difference is $80,982 (60.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Air Traffic Controllers earn more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
A Air Traffic Controllers earns a higher median salary than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in 4 out of 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 29 states.
What is the median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers vs Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
The national median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers is $133,445 per year, compared to $214,427 for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Air Traffic Controllers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
There are more people employed as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. BLS reports approximately 20,850 Air Traffic Controllers positions and 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Air Traffic Controllers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Both Air Traffic Controllers and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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