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 $141,727 more (194.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$72,700
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$74,668
Total Employment
86,860
41,870
States with Higher Pay
37
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Crane and Tower Operators
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 37 states; Crane and Tower Operators pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Crane and Tower Operators | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $60,790 | +$76,200 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $92,490 | +$139,650 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $67,350 | +$160,520 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $41,600 | +$127,370 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $79,570 | +$274,330 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $77,120 | +$230,370 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $81,360 | +$118,510 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $71,560 | +$153,460 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $62,050 | +$556,040 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $52,770 | +$454,870 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $61,820 | +$231,670 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $52,950 | +$118,310 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $67,600 | +$64,130 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $77,100 | +$66,480 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $62,000 | +$288,950 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $61,170 | +$59,570 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $65,690 | +$82,240 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $59,740 | +$368,830 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $80,930 | +$130,540 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $61,260 | +$82,320 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $58,450 | +$39,230 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $60,720 | +$70,930 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $115,840 | +$76,620 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $63,310 | +$35,970 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $62,400 | +$74,590 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $85,850 | +$169,390 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $64,480 | +$87,060 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $57,620 | +$146,550 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $63,590 | +$70,090 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $83,260 | +$89,930 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $65,190 | +$99,800 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $104,340 | +$60,540 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $64,120 | +$79,460 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $59,410 | +$84,170 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $73,280 | +$141,870 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $67,410 | +$107,180 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $101,110 | +$128,790 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Crane and Tower Operators salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Crane and Tower Operators?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Crane and Tower Operators. The national median salary difference is $141,727 (194.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Crane and Tower Operators?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $72,700 for a Crane and Tower Operators, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Crane and Tower Operators?
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 41,870 Crane and Tower Operators positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Crane and Tower Operators?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Crane and Tower Operators 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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.