National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $1,808 more (0.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$212,618
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$263,025
Total Employment
86,860
145,980
States with Higher Pay
15
19
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Chief Executives
Showing 34 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 15 states; Chief Executives pays more in 19.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Chief Executives | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $166,420 | $-29,430 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $166,710 | +$65,430 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $119,990 | +$48,980 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $218,600 | +$135,300 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $213,370 | +$94,120 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $295,120 | $-95,250 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $208,180 | +$409,910 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $177,210 | +$330,430 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $331,920 | $-38,430 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $254,180 | $-82,920 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $211,190 | $-79,460 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $158,100 | $-14,520 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $179,530 | +$171,420 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $138,770 | +$9,160 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $255,560 | +$173,010 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $195,670 | +$15,800 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $139,250 | +$4,330 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $172,320 | $-74,640 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $214,680 | $-83,030 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $149,770 | +$42,690 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $168,590 | $-69,310 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $123,500 | +$13,490 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $257,980 | $-2,740 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $314,290 | $-162,750 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $176,440 | +$27,730 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $163,790 | $-30,110 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $341,630 | $-168,440 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $232,560 | $-67,570 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $235,360 | $-70,480 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $168,840 | $-25,260 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $198,830 | $-55,250 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $257,850 | $-42,700 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $171,880 | +$2,710 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $339,810 | $-109,910 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Chief Executives salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Chief Executives?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Chief Executives. The national median salary difference is $1,808 (0.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Chief Executives?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Chief Executives in 15 out of 34 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Chief Executives pays more in 19 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Chief Executives?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $212,618 for a Chief Executives, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Chief Executives?
There are more people employed as Chief Executives. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 145,980 Chief Executives positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Chief Executives?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Chief Executives 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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