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 $109,293 more (104.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$214,427
$105,134
Average (Mean) Salary
$221,734
$106,570
Total Employment
86,860
7,760
States with Higher Pay
20
0
Salary by State: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ship Engineers
Showing 20 states where both occupations have BLS data. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pays more in 20 states; Ship Engineers pays more in 0.
| State | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Ship Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $96,030 | +$40,960 | ||
| Alaska | $232,140 | $88,190 | +$143,950 | ||
| California | $353,900 | $97,660 | +$256,240 | ||
| Connecticut | $199,870 | $119,010 | +$80,860 | ||
| Florida | $225,020 | $130,480 | +$94,540 | ||
| Illinois | $293,490 | $115,310 | +$178,180 | ||
| Indiana | $171,260 | $122,190 | +$49,070 | ||
| Kentucky | $350,950 | $120,550 | +$230,400 | ||
| Louisiana | $120,740 | $103,430 | +$17,310 | ||
| Maine | $147,930 | $77,160 | +$70,770 | ||
| Michigan | $428,570 | $79,170 | +$349,400 | ||
| Mississippi | $143,580 | $98,380 | +$45,200 | ||
| New York | $255,240 | $133,640 | +$121,600 | ||
| North Carolina | $151,540 | $65,010 | +$86,530 | ||
| Oregon | $173,190 | $88,800 | +$84,390 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | $80,210 | +$84,780 | ||
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | $119,330 | +$45,550 | ||
| South Carolina | $143,580 | $97,890 | +$45,690 | ||
| Texas | $215,150 | $127,810 | +$87,340 | ||
| Washington | $229,900 | $107,940 | +$121,960 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers vs Ship Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $109,293 (104.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
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 $214,427 per year, compared to $105,134 for a Ship Engineers, according to 2025 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 86,860 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers positions and 7,760 Ship Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
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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