National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$147,321
Average (Mean)
$161,538
Employed Nationwide
33,440
VS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $19,075 more (14.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$147,321
$128,246
Average (Mean) Salary
$161,538
$128,185
Total Employment
33,440
145,290
States with Higher Pay
15
9
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physician Assistants
Showing 24 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 15 states; Physician Assistants pays more in 9.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Physician Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $196,020 | $130,270 | +$65,750 | ||
| Arkansas | $159,310 | $99,220 | +$60,090 | ||
| Colorado | $166,170 | $128,800 | +$37,370 | ||
| Connecticut | $128,110 | $140,880 | $-12,770 | ||
| Iowa | $134,910 | $128,960 | +$5,950 | ||
| Kansas | $119,890 | $116,970 | +$2,920 | ||
| Louisiana | $94,760 | $123,290 | $-28,530 | ||
| Minnesota | $171,270 | $131,290 | +$39,980 | ||
| Missouri | $138,920 | $134,670 | +$4,250 | ||
| Montana | $46,710 | $131,340 | $-84,630 | ||
| Nebraska | $120,000 | $125,090 | $-5,090 | ||
| Nevada | $191,310 | $158,720 | +$32,590 | ||
| New Jersey | $171,300 | $137,100 | +$34,200 | ||
| New Mexico | $123,530 | $131,930 | $-8,400 | ||
| New York | $231,830 | $137,490 | +$94,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $142,360 | $126,480 | +$15,880 | ||
| Ohio | $224,100 | $122,180 | +$101,920 | ||
| Oklahoma | $124,760 | $126,080 | $-1,320 | ||
| South Carolina | $114,150 | $114,710 | $-560 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,850 | $111,540 | +$23,310 | ||
| Texas | $233,910 | $131,080 | +$102,830 | ||
| Virginia | $214,930 | $121,980 | +$92,950 | ||
| Wisconsin | $78,850 | $128,580 | $-49,730 | ||
| Wyoming | $102,720 | $136,940 | $-34,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physician Assistants?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Physician Assistants. The national median salary difference is $19,075 (14.9%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Physician Assistants?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Physician Assistants in 15 out of 24 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physician Assistants pays more in 9 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physician Assistants?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $147,321 per year, compared to $128,246 for a Physician Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physician Assistants?
There are more people employed as Physician Assistants. BLS reports approximately 33,440 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 145,290 Physician Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physician Assistants?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Physician Assistants 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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