National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Physicians, Pathologists earns $75,879 more (35.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$290,306
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$284,110
Total Employment
86,860
9,360
States with Higher Pay
5
21
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicians, Pathologists
Showing 26 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 5 states; Physicians, Pathologists pays more in 21.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Physicians, Pathologists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $227,870 | $338,290 | $-110,420 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $214,100 | $-45,130 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $186,300 | +$167,600 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $294,510 | +$12,980 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $313,510 | $-88,490 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $211,800 | +$406,290 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $381,770 | $-88,280 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $340,300 | $-169,040 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $323,460 | $-191,730 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $224,280 | $-80,700 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $324,390 | +$26,560 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $303,070 | +$125,500 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $362,270 | $-150,800 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $261,570 | $-117,990 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $261,830 | $-164,150 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $229,140 | $-97,490 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $384,350 | $-191,890 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $321,550 | $-66,310 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $248,940 | $-97,400 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $309,480 | $-105,310 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $317,850 | $-184,170 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $413,370 | $-248,380 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $322,950 | $-158,070 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $236,950 | $-93,370 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $345,830 | $-130,680 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $300,680 | $-70,780 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicians, Pathologists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicians, Pathologists?
On average across all states, a Physicians, Pathologists earns more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. The national median salary difference is $75,879 (35.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Physicians, Pathologists?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Physicians, Pathologists in 5 out of 26 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicians, Pathologists pays more in 21 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicians, Pathologists?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $290,306 for a Physicians, Pathologists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicians, Pathologists?
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 9,360 Physicians, Pathologists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicians, Pathologists?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Physicians, Pathologists 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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