National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Median Salary
$83,343
Average (Mean)
$91,347
Employed Nationwide
35,570
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $131,084 more (157.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$83,343
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$91,347
Total Employment
86,860
35,570
States with Higher Pay
29
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Showing 29 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 29 states; Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $68,920 | +$68,070 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $88,230 | +$143,910 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $58,700 | +$169,170 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $110,090 | +$243,810 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $75,810 | +$124,060 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $76,040 | +$148,980 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $77,090 | +$541,000 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $69,600 | +$223,890 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $92,000 | +$79,260 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $97,700 | +$34,030 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $117,160 | +$3,580 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $72,770 | +$75,160 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $53,590 | +$374,980 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $80,920 | +$130,550 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $104,220 | +$39,360 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $83,670 | +$14,010 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $75,870 | +$23,410 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $104,800 | +$150,440 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $69,170 | +$82,370 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $56,070 | +$148,100 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $79,110 | +$54,570 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $97,050 | +$76,140 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $61,420 | +$103,570 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $76,790 | +$88,090 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $57,660 | +$85,920 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $132,710 | +$10,870 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $111,390 | +$103,760 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $50,010 | +$124,580 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $103,730 | +$126,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels. The national median salary difference is $131,084 (157.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $83,343 for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
There are more people employed as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 35,570 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels 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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