National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$214,427
Average (Mean)
$221,734
Employed Nationwide
86,860
VS
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Median Salary
$73,115
Average (Mean)
$75,554
Employed Nationwide
35,760
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $141,312 more (193.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$73,115
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$75,554
Total Employment
86,860
35,760
States with Higher Pay
26
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Showing 26 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 26 states; Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $227,870 | $78,080 | +$149,790 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $67,710 | +$101,260 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $69,950 | +$283,950 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $77,550 | +$229,940 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $79,600 | +$145,420 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $75,810 | +$542,280 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $79,820 | +$213,670 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $81,260 | +$90,000 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $68,730 | +$74,850 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $52,380 | +$298,570 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $62,170 | +$58,570 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $78,960 | +$349,610 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $78,930 | +$132,540 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $78,010 | +$65,570 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $68,030 | +$29,650 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $77,890 | +$59,100 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $80,000 | +$175,240 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $58,930 | +$92,610 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $61,390 | +$142,780 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $102,260 | +$31,420 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $68,580 | +$104,610 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $83,610 | +$81,380 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $73,660 | +$69,920 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $71,740 | +$71,840 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $68,980 | +$146,170 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $79,040 | +$150,860 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters 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 Conductors and Yardmasters?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters. The national median salary difference is $141,312 (193.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $214,427 per year, compared to $73,115 for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
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 35,760 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters 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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