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 $78,319 more (57.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$136,108
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$138,787
Total Employment
86,860
42,810
States with Higher Pay
30
7
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Optometrists
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 30 states; Optometrists pays more in 7.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Optometrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $145,090 | $-8,100 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $170,310 | +$61,830 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $122,250 | +$105,620 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $124,470 | +$44,500 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $136,300 | +$217,600 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $152,000 | +$155,490 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $150,340 | +$49,530 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $151,670 | +$73,350 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $128,830 | +$489,260 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $103,390 | +$404,250 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $145,620 | +$147,870 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $135,500 | +$35,760 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $125,380 | +$6,350 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $138,580 | +$5,000 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $128,860 | +$222,090 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $118,060 | +$2,680 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $154,110 | $-6,180 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $135,650 | +$292,920 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $158,700 | +$52,770 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $108,070 | +$35,510 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $133,810 | $-36,130 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $125,040 | +$6,610 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $135,650 | +$56,810 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $125,560 | $-26,280 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $144,660 | $-7,670 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $161,140 | +$94,100 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $161,560 | $-10,020 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $134,850 | +$69,320 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $97,350 | +$36,330 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $132,020 | +$41,170 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $135,400 | +$29,590 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $134,520 | +$30,360 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $145,950 | $-2,370 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $134,170 | +$9,410 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $126,000 | +$89,150 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $119,070 | +$55,520 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $157,560 | +$72,340 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Optometrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Optometrists?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Optometrists. The national median salary difference is $78,319 (57.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Optometrists?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Optometrists in 30 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Optometrists pays more in 7 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Optometrists?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $136,108 for a Optometrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Optometrists?
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 42,810 Optometrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Optometrists?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Optometrists 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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