Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn a median $232,140 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers do
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.3% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 11,200
Employment of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 11,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$45,589
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,655
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$171,457
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,710 | $51.30 | $83,900 |
| 25th percentile | $182,280 | $87.63 | $135,854 |
| Median (50th) | $232,140 | $111.61 | $171,457 |
| 75th percentile | $384,440+ | $184.83 | $268,078 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $463,830+ | $223.00 | $317,816 |
Best cities for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $239,200+ | $383,004 | $382,782 | 8,700 |
| 2 | Cincinnati, OH | $239,200+ | $238,228 | $249,794 | 3,330 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $239,200+ | $219,995 | $223,053 | 4,160 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $239,200+ | $226,477 | $195,893 | 2,900 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $239,200+ | $207,048 | $195,731 | 5,600 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $239,200+ | $221,298 | $194,863 | 6,710 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $239,200+ | $217,470 | $193,198 | 10,030 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $196,715 | $189,889 | 6,360 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $212,810 | $158,362 | $153,615 | 5,980 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $229,900 | $169,986 | $152,958 | 3,340 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $216,070 | $160,763 | $140,828 | 4,810 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $211,470 | $143,607 | $137,001 | 2,940 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $209,750 | $141,248 | $129,723 | 5,100 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Atlanta, GA — $239,200+
- San Francisco, CA — $239,200+
- Los Angeles, CA — $239,200+
- Cincinnati, OH — $239,200+
- New York, NY — $239,200+
- Houston, TX — $239,200+
- Denver, CO — $239,200+
- Chicago, IL — $239,200+
- Seattle, WA — $229,900
- Miami, FL — $216,070
- Dallas, TX — $212,810
- Minneapolis, MN — $211,470
- Washington, DC — $209,750
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $239,200+ | — | $383,004 | $187,570 – $239,200+ | 8,770 |
| Idaho | $239,200+ | — | $319,467 | $120,740 – $239,200+ | 330 |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | — | $277,762 | $181,880 – $239,200+ | — |
| California | $239,200+ | — | $215,661 | $179,270 – $239,200+ | 10,670 |
| Kentucky | $239,200+ | — | $234,931 | $182,780 – $239,200+ | 6,260 |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | — | $207,048 | $189,150 – $239,200+ | 5,830 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | — | $196,715 | $166,620 – $239,200+ | 6,460 |
| New York | $239,200+ | — | $172,301 | $101,390 – $239,200+ | 6,900 |
| Alaska | $232,140 | +2.5% | $171,457 | $59,130 – $239,200+ | 1,350 |
| Washington | $229,900 | — | $169,986 | $140,780 – $239,200+ | 3,450 |
| Arizona | $227,870 | +14.6% | $163,166 | $96,380 – $239,200+ | 2,200 |
| Florida | $225,020 | +2.1% | $166,783 | $121,240 – $239,200+ | 7,760 |
| Texas | $215,150 | +0.2% | $160,085 | $92,370 – $239,200+ | 10,930 |
| Minnesota | $211,470 | +14.6% | $143,607 | $128,070 – $239,200+ | 2,960 |
| Ohio | $204,170 | — | $147,166 | $100,300 – $239,200+ | 1,550 |
| Connecticut | $199,870 | +5.4% | $138,988 | $94,130 – $239,200+ | 80 |
| Nevada | $192,460 | +6.6% | $143,306 | $90,890 – $239,200+ | 2,160 |
| Utah | $174,590 | +31.0% | $123,708 | $108,270 – $239,200+ | 1,880 |
| Oregon | $173,190 | −19.3% | $114,796 | $100,260 – $239,200+ | 750 |
| Indiana | $171,260 | +0.1% | $123,300 | $83,680 – $239,200+ | — |
| Arkansas | $168,970 | +1.8% | $120,380 | $124,990 – $170,960 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $164,990 | −4.5% | $118,971 | $88,090 – $239,200+ | 2,270 |
| Rhode Island | $164,880 | — | $117,732 | $93,300 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| North Carolina | $151,540 | −1.8% | $109,306 | $97,700 – $206,700 | 2,240 |
| Maine | $147,930 | −6.5% | $103,295 | $96,630 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Kansas | $143,580 | +5.2% | $102,191 | $85,860 – $205,580 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $143,580 | — | $104,392 | $112,420 – $177,110 | 360 |
| South Carolina | $143,580 | −9.3% | $101,945 | $97,070 – $227,550 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $143,580 | +10.8% | $109,403 | $109,760 – $172,390 | 110 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | +1.9% | $98,314 | $108,890 – $176,620 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $136,990 | +2.1% | $99,517 | $117,080 – $172,330 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $133,680 | +2.3% | $97,166 | $119,230 – $184,790 | 180 |
| Iowa | $131,730 | +0.6% | $96,950 | $64,100 – $201,080 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $131,650 | +15.0% | $96,138 | $59,400 – $233,970 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $120,740 | +27.5% | $90,535 | $74,700 – $239,200+ | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $99,280 | +2.4% | $78,673 | $74,130 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Missouri | $97,680 | −20.3% | $73,894 | $60,920 – $172,330 | 120 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.2% |
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | Associate's degree | +1.7% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $56,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.8% |
| Ship Engineer | $109,530 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.7% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make?
The national median salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $232,140 a year ($111.61 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $106,710 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers the most?
Georgia has the highest median pay at $239,200+. After taxes and local prices, Atlanta, GA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 103,560 people work as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers nationwide.