National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Psychiatrists earns $43,256 more (20.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$257,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$256,354
Total Employment
86,860
26,480
States with Higher Pay
8
28
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Psychiatrists
Showing 36 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 8 states; Psychiatrists pays more in 28.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Psychiatrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $232,140 | $342,170 | $-110,030 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $249,720 | $-21,850 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $124,750 | +$44,220 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $353,500 | +$400 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $266,370 | +$41,120 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $326,670 | $-126,800 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $316,200 | $-91,180 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $237,480 | +$380,610 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $75,470 | +$432,170 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $258,740 | +$34,750 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $284,110 | $-112,850 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $295,270 | $-163,540 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $278,100 | $-134,520 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $237,770 | +$113,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $345,040 | $-224,300 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $300,180 | $-152,250 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $291,850 | +$136,720 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $336,410 | $-124,940 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $213,680 | $-70,100 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $312,680 | $-215,000 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $135,180 | $-3,530 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $210,030 | $-17,570 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $246,140 | $-146,860 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $227,730 | $-90,740 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $265,890 | $-10,650 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $168,880 | $-17,340 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $244,990 | $-40,820 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $271,640 | $-137,960 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $314,880 | $-141,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $278,970 | $-113,980 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $287,610 | $-122,730 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $237,250 | $-93,670 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $214,880 | $-71,300 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $228,460 | $-13,310 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $299,670 | $-125,080 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $304,920 | $-75,020 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Psychiatrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Psychiatrists?
On average across all states, a Psychiatrists earns more than a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. The national median salary difference is $43,256 (20.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Psychiatrists?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatrists in 8 out of 36 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatrists pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Psychiatrists?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $257,684 for a Psychiatrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Psychiatrists?
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 26,480 Psychiatrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Psychiatrists?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Psychiatrists 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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