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 $79,716 more (59.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$134,711
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$160,797
Total Employment
86,860
754,500
States with Higher Pay
35
2
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Lawyers
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 35 states; Lawyers pays more in 2.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Lawyers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $131,970 | +$5,020 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $149,940 | +$82,200 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $134,260 | +$93,610 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $98,880 | +$70,090 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $195,080 | +$158,820 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $168,520 | +$138,970 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $163,600 | +$36,270 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $133,180 | +$91,840 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $134,830 | +$483,260 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $103,400 | +$404,240 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $160,800 | +$132,690 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $126,860 | +$44,400 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $123,550 | +$8,180 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $106,650 | +$36,930 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $101,550 | +$249,400 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $104,100 | +$16,640 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $113,120 | +$34,810 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $130,520 | +$298,050 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $155,140 | +$56,330 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $91,690 | +$51,890 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $133,450 | $-35,770 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $109,170 | +$22,480 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $150,510 | +$41,950 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $120,810 | $-21,530 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $119,680 | +$17,310 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $207,860 | +$47,380 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $127,710 | +$23,830 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $131,020 | +$73,150 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $103,060 | +$30,620 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $138,210 | +$34,980 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $157,180 | +$7,810 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $138,960 | +$25,920 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $120,310 | +$23,270 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $136,180 | +$7,400 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $154,200 | +$60,950 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $132,830 | +$41,760 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $154,130 | +$75,770 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Lawyers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Lawyers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $79,716 (59.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Lawyers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Lawyers in 35 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Lawyers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Lawyers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $134,711 for a Lawyers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Lawyers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 754,500 Lawyers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Lawyers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Lawyers 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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