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 $74,585 more (53.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$146,959
Total Employment
86,860
84,150
States with Higher Pay
34
3
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 34 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 3.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $130,710 | +$6,280 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $114,650 | +$117,490 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $138,940 | +$88,930 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $156,450 | +$12,520 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $159,830 | +$194,070 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $171,250 | +$136,240 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $138,680 | +$61,190 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $133,410 | +$91,610 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $155,360 | +$462,730 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $136,970 | +$370,670 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $153,370 | +$140,120 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $126,880 | +$44,380 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $121,580 | +$10,150 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $159,850 | $-16,270 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $124,350 | +$226,600 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $109,630 | +$11,110 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $135,970 | +$11,960 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $142,120 | +$286,450 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $144,810 | +$66,660 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $122,940 | +$20,640 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $132,100 | $-34,420 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $124,010 | +$7,640 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $120,270 | +$72,190 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $162,900 | $-63,620 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $134,790 | +$2,200 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $166,300 | +$88,940 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $138,710 | +$12,830 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $134,580 | +$69,590 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $119,310 | +$14,370 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $137,190 | +$36,000 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $141,790 | +$23,200 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $134,560 | +$30,320 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $131,720 | +$11,860 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $137,060 | +$6,520 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $134,670 | +$80,480 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $125,940 | +$48,650 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $162,730 | +$67,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Purchasing Managers. The national median salary difference is $74,585 (53.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Purchasing Managers in 34 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Purchasing Managers?
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 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Purchasing Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Purchasing Managers 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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