National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Natural Sciences Managers
Median Salary
$139,938
Average (Mean)
$151,197
Employed Nationwide
103,940
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $74,489 more (53.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$139,938
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$151,197
Total Employment
86,860
103,940
States with Higher Pay
30
5
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Natural Sciences Managers
Showing 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 30 states; Natural Sciences Managers pays more in 5.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $133,470 | +$3,520 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $130,590 | +$101,550 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $124,920 | +$102,950 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $119,430 | +$49,540 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $210,230 | +$143,670 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $152,730 | +$154,760 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $210,670 | $-10,800 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $112,220 | +$112,800 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $124,800 | +$382,840 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $159,670 | +$133,820 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $108,250 | +$63,010 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $109,760 | +$21,970 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $153,820 | $-10,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $126,440 | +$224,510 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $115,950 | +$4,790 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $141,360 | +$6,570 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $129,070 | +$299,500 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $136,450 | +$75,020 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $119,430 | +$24,150 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $129,410 | $-31,730 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $120,620 | +$11,030 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $112,260 | +$80,200 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $134,010 | $-34,730 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $134,680 | +$120,560 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $173,870 | $-22,330 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $137,170 | +$67,000 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $112,260 | +$21,420 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $143,120 | +$30,070 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $137,900 | +$27,090 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $130,480 | +$34,400 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $131,140 | +$12,440 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $124,530 | +$19,050 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $129,960 | +$85,190 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $119,430 | +$55,160 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $182,480 | +$47,420 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Natural Sciences 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Natural Sciences Managers. The national median salary difference is $74,489 (53.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Natural Sciences Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Natural Sciences Managers in 30 out of 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Natural Sciences Managers pays more in 5 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Natural Sciences Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $139,938 for a Natural Sciences Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Natural Sciences Managers?
There are more people employed as Natural Sciences Managers. BLS reports approximately 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 103,940 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Natural Sciences 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.
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