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 $75,062 more (53.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$154,352
Total Employment
86,860
623,030
States with Higher Pay
32
5
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Sales Managers
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 32 states; Sales Managers pays more in 5.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $124,040 | +$12,950 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $98,860 | +$133,280 | ||
| Arizona | $227,870 | $145,690 | +$82,180 | ||
| Arkansas | $168,970 | $108,330 | +$60,640 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $134,910 | +$218,990 | ||
| Colorado | $307,490 | $180,850 | +$126,640 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $162,110 | +$37,760 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $131,900 | +$93,120 | ||
| Georgia | $618,090 | $159,890 | +$458,200 | ||
| Idaho | $507,640 | $135,350 | +$372,290 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $155,280 | +$138,210 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $131,470 | +$39,790 | ||
| Iowa | $131,730 | $134,010 | $-2,280 | ||
| Kansas | $143,580 | $159,990 | $-16,410 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $128,650 | +$222,300 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $110,700 | +$10,040 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $158,660 | $-10,730 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $136,870 | +$291,700 | ||
| Minnesota | $211,470 | $151,670 | +$59,800 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $108,750 | +$34,830 | ||
| Missouri | $97,680 | $115,370 | $-17,690 | ||
| Nebraska | $131,650 | $126,990 | +$4,660 | ||
| Nevada | $192,460 | $109,790 | +$82,670 | ||
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | $141,900 | $-42,620 | ||
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $114,080 | +$22,910 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $217,640 | +$37,600 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $150,470 | +$1,070 | ||
| Ohio | $204,170 | $135,510 | +$68,660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | $128,920 | +$4,760 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $155,810 | +$17,380 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $130,610 | +$34,380 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $154,970 | +$9,910 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $131,080 | +$12,500 | ||
| Tennessee | $143,580 | $128,040 | +$15,540 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $136,020 | +$79,130 | ||
| Utah | $174,590 | $136,520 | +$38,070 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $174,000 | +$55,900 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Sales 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 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 $75,062 (53.9%) based on 2025 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 32 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 5 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 $214,427 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 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 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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