National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$147,321
Average (Mean)
$161,538
Employed Nationwide
33,440
VS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $69,914 more (90.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$147,321
$77,407
Average (Mean) Salary
$161,538
$75,493
Total Employment
33,440
25,820
States with Higher Pay
20
1
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 21 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 20 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 1.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $196,020 | $77,490 | +$118,530 | ||
| Arkansas | $159,310 | $73,830 | +$85,480 | ||
| Colorado | $166,170 | $77,140 | +$89,030 | ||
| Connecticut | $128,110 | $92,670 | +$35,440 | ||
| Iowa | $134,910 | $85,450 | +$49,460 | ||
| Kansas | $119,890 | $73,510 | +$46,380 | ||
| Louisiana | $94,760 | $73,850 | +$20,910 | ||
| Minnesota | $171,270 | $76,760 | +$94,510 | ||
| Mississippi | $118,370 | $62,830 | +$55,540 | ||
| Missouri | $138,920 | $73,730 | +$65,190 | ||
| Montana | $46,710 | $78,430 | $-31,720 | ||
| Nebraska | $120,000 | $76,380 | +$43,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $171,300 | $81,550 | +$89,750 | ||
| New York | $231,830 | $103,000 | +$128,830 | ||
| North Carolina | $142,360 | $81,830 | +$60,530 | ||
| Ohio | $224,100 | $78,480 | +$145,620 | ||
| Oklahoma | $124,760 | $84,360 | +$40,400 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,850 | $72,340 | +$62,510 | ||
| Texas | $233,910 | $73,890 | +$160,020 | ||
| Wisconsin | $78,850 | $78,620 | +$230 | ||
| Wyoming | $102,720 | $73,800 | +$28,920 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Locomotive Engineers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Locomotive Engineers. The national median salary difference is $69,914 (90.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Locomotive Engineers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Locomotive Engineers in 20 out of 21 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Locomotive Engineers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Locomotive Engineers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $147,321 per year, compared to $77,407 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Locomotive Engineers?
There are more people employed as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. BLS reports approximately 33,440 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 25,820 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Locomotive Engineers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Locomotive Engineers 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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