Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Sales Managers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Median Salary
$147,321
Average (Mean)
$161,538
Employed Nationwide
33,440
VS

Sales Managers

Median Salary
$132,268
Average (Mean)
$149,870
Employed Nationwide
572,710
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $15,053 more (11.4%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $147,321 $132,268
Average (Mean) Salary $161,538 $149,870
Total Employment 33,440 572,710
States with Higher Pay 17 8

Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Sales Managers

Showing 25 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 17 states; Sales Managers pays more in 8.

State Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Sales Managers Difference
Arizona $196,020
$122,880
+$73,140
Arkansas $159,310
$121,820
+$37,490
Colorado $166,170
$176,700
$-10,530
Connecticut $128,110
$135,920
$-7,810
Iowa $134,910
$129,080
+$5,830
Kansas $119,890
$147,800
$-27,910
Louisiana $94,760
$107,340
$-12,580
Minnesota $171,270
$134,290
+$36,980
Mississippi $118,370
$107,750
+$10,620
Missouri $138,920
$111,400
+$27,520
Montana $46,710
$120,820
$-74,110
Nebraska $120,000
$116,470
+$3,530
Nevada $191,310
$103,000
+$88,310
New Jersey $171,300
$170,690
+$610
New Mexico $123,530
$105,010
+$18,520
New York $231,830
$214,010
+$17,820
North Carolina $142,360
$125,270
+$17,090
Ohio $224,100
$134,440
+$89,660
Oklahoma $124,760
$122,000
+$2,760
South Carolina $114,150
$122,820
$-8,670
Tennessee $134,850
$132,830
+$2,020
Texas $233,910
$127,560
+$106,350
Virginia $214,930
$158,000
+$56,930
Wisconsin $78,850
$134,120
$-55,270
Wyoming $102,720
$137,560
$-34,840

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Sales Managers. The national median salary difference is $15,053 (11.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 17 out of 25 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 8 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $147,321 per year, compared to $132,268 for a Sales Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 33,440 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 572,710 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Sales Managers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Sales 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.