National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Cardiologists earns $274,693 more (128.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$489,121
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$455,270
Total Employment
86,860
11,930
States with Higher Pay
3
16
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Cardiologists
Showing 19 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 3 states; Cardiologists pays more in 16.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Cardiologists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $519,480 | $-382,490 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $185,610 | +$168,290 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $488,940 | $-289,070 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $414,910 | $-189,890 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $610,070 | +$8,020 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $517,850 | $-224,360 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $588,890 | $-417,630 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $283,070 | $-151,340 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $558,180 | $-207,230 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $419,030 | +$9,540 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $648,070 | $-550,390 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $646,300 | $-514,650 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $492,040 | $-236,800 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $504,260 | $-300,090 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $579,120 | $-414,130 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $395,610 | $-230,730 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $610,080 | $-466,500 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $410,150 | $-195,000 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $656,330 | $-426,430 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Cardiologists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Cardiologists?
On average across all states, a Cardiologists earns more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. The national median salary difference is $274,693 (128.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Cardiologists?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Cardiologists in 3 out of 19 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cardiologists pays more in 16 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Cardiologists?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $489,121 for a Cardiologists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Cardiologists?
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 11,930 Cardiologists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Cardiologists?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Cardiologists 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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