Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary (2025)
Based on 103,560 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $106,710 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $182,280 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $232,140 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $384,440 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $463,830 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$107K
25th
$182K
Median
$232K
75th
$384K
90th
$464K
Highest Paying States for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $476,310 |
| Idaho | $361,180 |
| Michigan | $330,480 |
| Illinois | $316,140 |
| California | $310,190 |
| Kentucky | $302,340 |
| Washington | $298,560 |
| New York | $298,260 |
| Colorado | $290,850 |
| Connecticut | $282,160 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Georgia at an average of $476,310 per year, while Connecticut has an average of $282,160 — a difference of $194,150. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 103,560 workers were employed as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $288,650 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-2011