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 $131,270 more (157.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$83,157
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$83,682
Total Employment
86,860
27,340
States with Higher Pay
27
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 27 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 27 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $77,600 | +$59,390 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $89,840 | +$138,030 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $78,930 | +$90,040 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $77,070 | +$276,830 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $89,360 | +$218,130 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $92,310 | +$132,710 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $93,320 | +$200,170 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $92,790 | +$78,470 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $89,970 | +$41,760 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $75,190 | +$68,390 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $77,620 | +$273,330 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $64,200 | +$56,540 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $93,700 | +$117,770 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $96,710 | +$46,870 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $78,820 | +$18,860 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $70,670 | +$28,610 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $88,330 | +$48,660 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $109,220 | +$146,020 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $61,190 | +$90,350 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $63,280 | +$140,890 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $91,970 | +$41,710 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $79,130 | +$94,060 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $82,460 | +$82,530 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $89,290 | +$54,290 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $81,410 | +$62,170 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $79,000 | +$136,150 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $73,750 | +$156,150 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Locomotive Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $131,270 (157.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
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 $214,427 per year, compared to $83,157 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2025 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 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 27,340 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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.