National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Median Salary
$166,075
Average (Mean)
$172,301
Employed Nationwide
216,520
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $48,352 more (29.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$166,075
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$172,301
Total Employment
86,860
216,520
States with Higher Pay
23
14
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Architectural and Engineering Managers
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 23 states; Architectural and Engineering Managers pays more in 14.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $162,350 | $-25,360 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $164,260 | +$67,880 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $167,480 | +$60,390 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $140,600 | +$28,370 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $210,280 | +$143,620 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $183,810 | +$123,680 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $175,490 | +$24,380 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $170,740 | +$54,280 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $161,470 | +$456,620 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $162,970 | +$344,670 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $163,610 | +$129,880 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $155,810 | +$15,450 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $147,320 | $-15,590 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $160,150 | $-16,570 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $147,680 | +$203,270 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $162,850 | $-42,110 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $145,720 | +$2,210 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $166,930 | +$261,640 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $172,130 | +$39,340 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $142,790 | +$790 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $157,800 | $-60,120 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $141,020 | $-9,370 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $161,560 | +$30,900 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $172,240 | $-72,960 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $215,120 | $-78,130 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $175,710 | +$79,530 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $167,840 | $-16,300 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $166,870 | +$37,300 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $157,330 | $-23,650 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $177,190 | $-4,000 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $164,690 | +$300 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $175,910 | $-11,030 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $169,040 | $-25,460 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $161,430 | $-17,850 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $171,370 | +$43,780 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $161,120 | +$13,470 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $189,680 | +$40,220 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Architectural and Engineering Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Architectural and Engineering Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Architectural and Engineering Managers. The national median salary difference is $48,352 (29.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Architectural and Engineering Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Architectural and Engineering Managers in 23 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Architectural and Engineering Managers pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Architectural and Engineering Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $166,075 for a Architectural and Engineering Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Architectural and Engineering Managers?
There are more people employed as Architectural and Engineering Managers. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 216,520 Architectural and Engineering Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Architectural and Engineering Managers 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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