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 $78,377 more (57.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$136,050
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$137,335
Total Employment
86,860
162,150
States with Higher Pay
30
7
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physician Assistants
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 30 states; Physician Assistants pays more in 7.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Physician Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $104,960 | +$32,030 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $150,700 | +$81,440 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $134,650 | +$93,220 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $118,430 | +$50,540 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $165,650 | +$188,250 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $134,540 | +$172,950 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $139,860 | +$60,010 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $129,620 | +$95,400 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $115,390 | +$502,700 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $133,790 | +$373,850 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $131,950 | +$161,540 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $132,050 | +$39,210 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $134,770 | $-3,040 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $125,640 | +$17,940 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $120,760 | +$230,190 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $128,870 | $-8,130 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $131,170 | +$16,760 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $131,510 | +$297,060 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $141,190 | +$70,280 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $105,920 | +$37,660 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $135,130 | $-37,450 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $133,040 | $-1,390 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $134,660 | +$57,800 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $150,960 | $-51,680 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $139,920 | $-2,930 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $160,880 | +$94,360 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $129,360 | +$22,180 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $132,090 | +$72,080 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $136,550 | $-2,870 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $155,780 | +$17,410 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $127,070 | +$37,920 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $139,930 | +$24,950 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $122,490 | +$21,090 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $118,240 | +$25,340 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $134,550 | +$80,600 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $134,740 | +$39,850 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $164,360 | +$65,540 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physician Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $78,377 (57.6%) based on 2025 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 30 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physician Assistants pays more in 7 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 $214,427 per year, compared to $136,050 for a Physician Assistants, according to 2025 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 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 162,150 Physician Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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