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 $38,720 more (22.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$175,707
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$190,475
Total Employment
86,860
121,230
States with Higher Pay
20
15
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Dentists, General
Showing 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 20 states; Dentists, General pays more in 15.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Dentists, General | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $232,140 | $230,990 | +$1,150 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $194,180 | +$33,690 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $178,930 | $-9,960 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $165,950 | +$187,950 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $166,240 | +$141,250 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $160,440 | +$39,430 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $174,900 | +$50,120 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $206,760 | +$411,330 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $124,190 | +$383,450 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $156,110 | +$137,380 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $166,650 | +$4,610 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $181,520 | $-49,790 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $134,160 | +$216,790 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $170,750 | $-50,010 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $209,200 | $-61,270 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $169,930 | +$258,640 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $219,200 | $-7,730 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $143,660 | $-80 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $204,960 | $-107,280 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $179,750 | $-48,100 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $162,200 | +$30,260 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $177,480 | $-78,200 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $155,260 | $-18,270 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $183,060 | +$72,180 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $207,000 | $-55,460 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $167,410 | +$36,760 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $166,170 | $-32,490 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $211,690 | $-38,500 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $163,390 | +$1,600 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $161,560 | +$3,320 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $158,640 | $-15,060 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $215,290 | $-71,710 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $162,360 | +$52,790 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $133,320 | +$41,270 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $169,730 | +$60,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Dentists, General salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Dentists, General?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Dentists, General. The national median salary difference is $38,720 (22.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Dentists, General?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Dentists, General in 20 out of 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Dentists, General pays more in 15 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Dentists, General?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $175,707 for a Dentists, General, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Dentists, General?
There are more people employed as Dentists, General. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 121,230 Dentists, General positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Dentists, General?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Dentists, General 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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