National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Median Salary
$282,511
Average (Mean)
$293,365
Employed Nationwide
6,560
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earns $68,083 more (31.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$282,511
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$293,365
Total Employment
86,860
6,560
States with Higher Pay
6
22
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Showing 28 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 6 states; Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pays more in 22.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $305,200 | $-168,210 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $259,320 | $-90,350 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $400,150 | $-46,250 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $288,050 | +$19,440 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $399,440 | $-174,420 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $382,920 | +$235,170 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $284,630 | +$8,860 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $168,600 | +$2,660 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $394,900 | $-263,170 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $101,940 | +$249,010 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $155,250 | $-34,510 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $337,850 | $-189,920 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $179,720 | +$248,850 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $372,200 | $-160,730 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $228,410 | $-130,730 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $345,600 | $-153,140 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $404,330 | $-305,050 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $360,050 | $-104,810 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $271,270 | $-67,100 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $215,760 | $-82,080 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $334,450 | $-161,260 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $304,290 | $-139,300 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $450,370 | $-285,490 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $214,160 | $-70,580 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $231,040 | $-87,460 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $323,010 | $-107,860 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $188,490 | $-13,900 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $304,830 | $-74,930 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
On average across all states, a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earns more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. The national median salary difference is $68,083 (31.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in 6 out of 28 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pays more in 22 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $282,511 for a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
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 6,560 Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric 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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