Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Financial Managers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS

Financial Managers

Median Salary
$150,741
Average (Mean)
$168,791
Employed Nationwide
841,710
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $63,686 more (42.2%)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Financial Managers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersAirline Pilots, Copilots, an…Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: $214,428$214,428Financial ManagersFinancial ManagersFinancial Managers: $150,742$150,742

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $214,427 $150,741
Average (Mean) Salary $221,734 $168,791
Total Employment 86,860 841,710
States with Higher Pay 28 9

Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Financial Managers

Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 28 states; Financial Managers pays more in 9.

State Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Financial Managers Difference
Alabama $136,990
$140,500
$-3,510
Alaska $232,140
$127,030
+$105,110
Arizona $227,870
$139,830
+$88,040
Arkansas $168,970
$116,570
+$52,400
California $353,900
$180,770
+$173,130
Colorado $307,490
$182,690
+$124,800
Connecticut $199,870
$174,830
+$25,040
Florida $225,020
$153,280
+$71,740
Georgia $618,090
$166,790
+$451,300
Idaho $507,640
$127,210
+$380,430
Illinois $293,490
$165,880
+$127,610
Indiana $171,260
$135,840
+$35,420
Iowa $131,730
$133,320
$-1,590
Kansas $143,580
$159,380
$-15,800
Kentucky $350,950
$130,650
+$220,300
Louisiana $120,740
$126,800
$-6,060
Maine $147,930
$133,610
+$14,320
Michigan $428,570
$139,370
+$289,200
Minnesota $211,470
$163,410
+$48,060
Mississippi $143,580
$111,390
+$32,190
Missouri $97,680
$143,460
$-45,780
Nebraska $131,650
$140,360
$-8,710
Nevada $192,460
$132,490
+$59,970
New Hampshire $99,280
$144,730
$-45,450
New Mexico $136,990
$133,700
+$3,290
New York $255,240
$219,880
+$35,360
North Carolina $151,540
$166,780
$-15,240
Ohio $204,170
$140,870
+$63,300
Oklahoma $133,680
$132,460
+$1,220
Oregon $173,190
$156,460
+$16,730
Pennsylvania $164,990
$145,610
+$19,380
Rhode Island $164,880
$166,940
$-2,060
South Carolina $143,580
$136,160
+$7,420
Tennessee $143,580
$141,010
+$2,570
Texas $215,150
$164,860
+$50,290
Utah $174,590
$150,450
+$24,140
Washington $229,900
$174,840
+$55,060

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Financial 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 Financial Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Financial Managers. The national median salary difference is $63,686 (42.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Financial Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Financial Managers in 28 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Financial Managers pays more in 9 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Financial Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $150,741 for a Financial Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Financial Managers?
There are more people employed as Financial Managers. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 841,710 Financial Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Financial Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Financial 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.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy