National Salary Overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median Salary
$147,321
Average (Mean)
$161,538
Employed Nationwide
33,440
VS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns $57,677 more (64.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$147,321
$89,643
Average (Mean) Salary
$161,538
$94,159
Total Employment
33,440
7,370
States with Higher Pay
7
2
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ship Engineers
Showing 9 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 7 states; Ship Engineers pays more in 2.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Ship Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $94,760 | $99,260 | $-4,500 | ||
| Mississippi | $118,370 | $119,310 | $-940 | ||
| New Jersey | $171,300 | $120,180 | +$51,120 | ||
| New York | $231,830 | $118,550 | +$113,280 | ||
| North Carolina | $142,360 | $58,700 | +$83,660 | ||
| South Carolina | $114,150 | $97,980 | +$16,170 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,850 | $83,380 | +$51,470 | ||
| Texas | $233,910 | $118,490 | +$115,420 | ||
| Virginia | $214,930 | $75,900 | +$139,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ship Engineers?
On average across all states, a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns more than a Ship Engineers. The national median salary difference is $57,677 (64.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more than a Ship Engineers?
A Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Ship Engineers in 7 out of 9 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Ship Engineers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ship Engineers?
The national median salary for a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $147,321 per year, compared to $89,643 for a Ship Engineers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ship Engineers?
There are more people employed as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. BLS reports approximately 33,440 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 7,370 Ship Engineers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers or Ship Engineers?
Both Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers and Ship Engineers 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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