National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Median Salary
$426,082
Average (Mean)
$412,908
Employed Nationwide
8,790
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric earns $211,654 more (98.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$426,082
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$412,908
Total Employment
86,860
8,790
States with Higher Pay
4
21
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Showing 25 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 4 states; Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric pays more in 21.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $324,570 | $-187,580 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $558,970 | $-331,100 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $262,470 | $-93,500 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $253,430 | +$100,470 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $385,410 | $-77,920 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $473,750 | $-248,730 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $474,820 | +$143,270 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $426,580 | $-133,090 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $177,710 | $-6,450 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $189,410 | $-57,680 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $311,630 | $-168,050 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $413,450 | +$15,120 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $537,830 | $-326,360 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $544,130 | $-400,550 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $842,800 | $-745,120 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $507,770 | $-376,120 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $555,670 | $-456,390 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $414,290 | $-159,050 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $323,630 | $-172,090 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $323,480 | $-119,310 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $530,070 | $-396,390 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $354,020 | $-189,030 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $325,520 | $-181,940 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $200,780 | +$14,370 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $553,310 | $-323,410 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Orthopedic Surgeons, 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 Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric?
On average across all states, a Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric earns more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. The national median salary difference is $211,654 (98.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in 4 out of 25 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric pays more in 21 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $426,082 for a Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Orthopedic Surgeons, 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 8,790 Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Orthopedic Surgeons, 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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