National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Median Salary
$136,904
Average (Mean)
$150,261
Employed Nationwide
21,540
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $77,522 more (56.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$136,904
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$150,261
Total Employment
86,860
21,540
States with Higher Pay
35
2
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Compensation and Benefits Managers
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 35 states; Compensation and Benefits Managers pays more in 2.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $118,470 | +$18,520 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $122,490 | +$109,650 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $129,890 | +$97,980 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $100,810 | +$68,160 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $166,730 | +$187,170 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $165,770 | +$141,720 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $197,970 | +$1,900 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $127,960 | +$97,060 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $163,060 | +$455,030 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $90,020 | +$417,620 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $151,730 | +$141,760 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $118,180 | +$53,080 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $118,250 | +$13,480 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $114,070 | +$29,510 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $114,290 | +$236,660 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $99,840 | +$20,900 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $129,690 | +$18,240 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $151,620 | +$276,950 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $163,390 | +$48,080 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $89,250 | +$54,330 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $106,490 | $-8,810 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $121,630 | +$10,020 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $115,180 | +$77,280 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $136,950 | $-37,670 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $124,390 | +$12,600 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $175,620 | +$79,620 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $135,240 | +$16,300 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $141,920 | +$62,250 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $107,760 | +$25,920 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $161,470 | +$11,720 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $139,040 | +$25,950 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $149,340 | +$15,540 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $99,630 | +$43,950 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $132,780 | +$10,800 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $136,930 | +$78,220 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $132,620 | +$41,970 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $199,190 | +$30,710 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Compensation and Benefits 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 Compensation and Benefits Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Compensation and Benefits Managers. The national median salary difference is $77,522 (56.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Compensation and Benefits Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Compensation and Benefits Managers in 35 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Compensation and Benefits Managers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Compensation and Benefits Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $136,904 for a Compensation and Benefits Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Compensation and Benefits Managers?
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 21,540 Compensation and Benefits Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Compensation and Benefits Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Compensation and Benefits 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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