Airline pilots are responsible for safely operating aircraft during flights, while copilots assist them and can take over controls if needed. Flight engineers monitor and maintain the technical systems of the aircraft to ensure a smooth and safe journey. Together, they play crucial roles in air travel, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers from takeoff to landing.
This article will explore the best states for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Washington ($278,260)
- 2. Florida ($270,720)
- 3. California ($252,110)
- 4. Michigan ($236,970)
- 5. New York ($229,120)
- 6. Illinois ($221,580)
- 7. Georgia ($217,820)
- 8. Missouri ($217,730)
- 9. Arizona ($215,530)
- 10. Texas ($212,940)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are in Washington, where they earn an average of $278,260 per year.
- The lowest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are in Hawaii, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $153,176 per year.
1. Washington ($278,260)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Washington earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Washington is
$278,260, which is +82% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $278,260 |
| 10th Percentile | $112,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
2. Florida ($270,720)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Florida earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Florida is
$270,720, which is +77% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $270,720 |
| 10th Percentile | $108,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $167,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
3. California ($252,110)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in California is
$252,110, which is +65% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $252,110 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,300 |
| 25th Percentile | $131,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
4. Michigan ($236,970)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Michigan earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Michigan is
$236,970, which is +55% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $236,970 |
| 10th Percentile | $108,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $137,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
5. New York ($229,120)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in New York earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in New York is
$229,120, which is +50% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $229,120 |
| 10th Percentile | $113,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $141,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
6. Illinois ($221,580)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Illinois is
$221,580, which is +45% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $221,580 |
| 10th Percentile | $136,240 |
| 25th Percentile | $137,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
7. Georgia ($217,820)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Georgia earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Georgia is
$217,820, which is +42% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $217,820 |
| 10th Percentile | $98,680 |
| 25th Percentile | $137,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
8. Missouri ($217,730)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Missouri earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Missouri is
$217,730, which is +42% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $217,730 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
9. Arizona ($215,530)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Arizona earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Arizona is
$215,530, which is +41% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $215,530 |
| 10th Percentile | $84,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $137,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
10. Texas ($212,940)
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Texas earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Texas is
$212,940, which is +39% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $212,940 |
| 10th Percentile | $90,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $140,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are in Washington, where they earn an average of $278,260 per year. The lowest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are in Hawaii, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $153,176 per year and there are 66,006 jobs in the field.
