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 $91,847 more (74.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$122,580
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$136,493
Total Employment
86,860
47,010
States with Higher Pay
34
2
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Commercial Pilots
Showing 36 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 34 states; Commercial Pilots pays more in 2.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Commercial Pilots | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $101,420 | +$35,570 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $100,120 | +$132,020 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $103,060 | +$124,810 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $94,410 | +$74,560 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $165,590 | +$188,310 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $139,680 | +$167,810 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $232,160 | $-32,290 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $121,890 | +$103,130 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $145,100 | +$472,990 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $109,620 | +$398,020 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $126,100 | +$167,390 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $104,160 | +$67,100 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $101,800 | +$29,930 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $105,440 | +$38,140 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $129,990 | +$220,960 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $95,940 | +$24,800 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $117,560 | +$30,370 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $126,670 | +$301,900 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $98,630 | +$112,840 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $103,640 | +$39,940 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $102,990 | $-5,310 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $104,780 | +$26,870 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $105,340 | +$87,120 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $97,920 | +$39,070 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $177,430 | +$77,810 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $127,310 | +$24,230 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $150,330 | +$53,840 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $126,180 | +$7,500 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $120,760 | +$52,430 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $134,030 | +$30,960 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $98,820 | +$66,060 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $105,740 | +$37,840 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $117,480 | +$26,100 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $137,960 | +$77,190 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $99,610 | +$74,980 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $117,730 | +$112,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Commercial Pilots salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Commercial Pilots?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Commercial Pilots. The national median salary difference is $91,847 (74.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Commercial Pilots?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Commercial Pilots in 34 out of 36 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Commercial Pilots pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Commercial Pilots?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $122,580 for a Commercial Pilots, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Commercial Pilots?
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 47,010 Commercial Pilots positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Commercial Pilots?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Commercial Pilots 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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