National Salary Overview
VS
Commercial Pilots earns $39,422 more (47.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$122,580
$83,157
Average (Mean) Salary
$136,493
$83,682
Total Employment
47,010
27,340
States with Higher Pay
33
0
Salary by State: Commercial Pilots vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. Commercial Pilots pays more in 33 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 0.
| State | Commercial Pilots | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $101,420 | $77,600 | +$23,820 | ||
| Arizona | $103,060 | $89,840 | +$13,220 | ||
| Arkansas | $94,410 | $78,930 | +$15,480 | ||
| California | $165,590 | $77,070 | +$88,520 | ||
| Colorado | $139,680 | $89,360 | +$50,320 | ||
| Florida | $121,890 | $92,310 | +$29,580 | ||
| Illinois | $126,100 | $93,320 | +$32,780 | ||
| Indiana | $104,160 | $92,790 | +$11,370 | ||
| Iowa | $101,800 | $89,970 | +$11,830 | ||
| Kansas | $105,440 | $75,190 | +$30,250 | ||
| Kentucky | $129,990 | $77,620 | +$52,370 | ||
| Louisiana | $95,940 | $64,200 | +$31,740 | ||
| Minnesota | $98,630 | $93,700 | +$4,930 | ||
| Mississippi | $103,640 | $96,710 | +$6,930 | ||
| Missouri | $102,990 | $78,820 | +$24,170 | ||
| Montana | $103,690 | $90,220 | +$13,470 | ||
| New Jersey | $226,710 | $86,550 | +$140,160 | ||
| New Mexico | $97,920 | $88,330 | +$9,590 | ||
| New York | $177,430 | $109,220 | +$68,210 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,310 | $61,190 | +$66,120 | ||
| Ohio | $150,330 | $63,280 | +$87,050 | ||
| Oklahoma | $126,180 | $91,970 | +$34,210 | ||
| Oregon | $120,760 | $79,130 | +$41,630 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $134,030 | $82,460 | +$51,570 | ||
| South Carolina | $105,740 | $89,290 | +$16,450 | ||
| South Dakota | $83,710 | $69,180 | +$14,530 | ||
| Tennessee | $117,480 | $81,410 | +$36,070 | ||
| Texas | $137,960 | $79,000 | +$58,960 | ||
| Virginia | $104,890 | $90,780 | +$14,110 | ||
| Washington | $117,730 | $73,750 | +$43,980 | ||
| West Virginia | $105,950 | $64,400 | +$41,550 | ||
| Wisconsin | $129,860 | $84,550 | +$45,310 | ||
| Wyoming | $102,990 | $78,910 | +$24,080 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Commercial Pilots vs Locomotive Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Commercial Pilots or Locomotive Engineers?
On average across all states, a Commercial Pilots earns more than a Locomotive Engineers. The national median salary difference is $39,422 (47.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Commercial Pilots vs Locomotive Engineers?
The national median salary for a Commercial Pilots is $122,580 per year, compared to $83,157 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Commercial Pilots or Locomotive Engineers?
There are more people employed as Commercial Pilots. BLS reports approximately 47,010 Commercial Pilots positions and 27,340 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Commercial Pilots or Locomotive Engineers?
Both Commercial Pilots and Locomotive 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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