National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Median Salary
$66,441
Average (Mean)
$66,339
Employed Nationwide
9,380
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $147,986 more (222.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$66,441
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$66,339
Total Employment
86,860
9,380
States with Higher Pay
20
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Showing 20 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 20 states; Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $56,050 | +$80,940 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $58,770 | +$295,130 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $76,140 | +$231,350 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $58,250 | +$166,770 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $75,540 | +$542,550 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $76,290 | +$217,200 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $64,530 | +$106,730 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $80,910 | +$50,820 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $66,990 | +$76,590 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $56,410 | +$294,540 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $54,260 | +$66,480 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $66,970 | +$361,600 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $67,110 | +$30,570 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $72,340 | +$64,650 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $83,530 | +$171,710 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $54,810 | +$96,730 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $67,770 | +$136,400 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $55,470 | +$109,520 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $71,580 | +$143,570 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $85,140 | +$144,760 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. The national median salary difference is $147,986 (222.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $66,441 for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
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 9,380 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers 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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