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 $60,665 more (39.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$153,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$164,071
Total Employment
86,860
20,040
States with Higher Pay
21
12
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicists
Showing 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 21 states; Physicists pays more in 12.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Physicists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $139,330 | $-2,340 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $130,500 | +$97,370 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $135,820 | +$33,150 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $207,490 | +$146,410 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $104,580 | +$202,910 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $180,300 | +$19,570 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $225,390 | $-370 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $144,870 | +$473,220 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $135,150 | +$372,490 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $137,140 | +$156,350 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $105,940 | +$65,320 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $178,110 | $-46,380 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $180,910 | +$170,040 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $166,240 | $-45,500 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $94,520 | +$334,050 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $171,220 | +$40,250 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $129,970 | +$13,610 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $140,460 | $-42,780 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $154,030 | +$38,430 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $214,030 | $-114,750 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $165,340 | $-28,350 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $181,970 | +$73,270 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $174,180 | $-22,640 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $162,900 | +$41,270 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $200,050 | $-66,370 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $200,320 | $-27,130 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $210,990 | $-46,000 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $155,150 | +$9,730 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $138,400 | +$5,180 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $165,010 | $-21,430 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $184,040 | +$31,110 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $156,760 | +$17,830 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $134,790 | +$95,110 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicists?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Physicists. The national median salary difference is $60,665 (39.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Physicists?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Physicists in 21 out of 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicists pays more in 12 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Physicists?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $153,762 for a Physicists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicists?
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 20,040 Physicists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Physicists?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Physicists 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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