Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary by State
Also called: Airline Pilots
The national median pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $232,140 a year. By state, it ranges from $97,680 in Missouri to $618,090 in Georgia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $106,710
- 25th percentile
- $182,280
- Median
- $232,140
- 75th percentile
- $384,440
- Top 10%
- $463,830
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 103,560 jobs.
Median pay in 37 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $618,090 | +166% | $187,570 | $642,610 | 8,770 |
| 2 | Idaho | $507,640 | +119% | $120,740 | $507,910 | 330 |
| 3 | Michigan | $428,570 | +85% | $181,880 | $428,570 | Not published |
| 4 | California | $353,900 | +52% | $179,270 | $427,660 | 10,670 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $350,950 | +51% | $182,780 | $407,760 | 6,260 |
| 6 | Colorado | $307,490 | +32% | $189,150 | $377,860 | 5,830 |
| 7 | Illinois | $293,490 | +26% | $166,620 | $421,610 | 6,460 |
| 8 | New York | $255,240 | +10% | $101,390 | $475,690 | 6,900 |
| 9 | Alaska | $232,140 | 0% | $59,130 | $369,150 | 1,350 |
| 10 | Washington | $229,900 | −1% | $140,780 | $529,820 | 3,450 |
| 11 | Arizona | $227,870 | −2% | $96,380 | $344,080 | 2,200 |
| 12 | Florida | $225,020 | −3% | $121,240 | $356,680 | 7,760 |
| 13 | Texas | $215,150 | −7% | $92,370 | $456,570 | 10,930 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $211,470 | −9% | $128,070 | $353,410 | 2,960 |
| 15 | Ohio | $204,170 | −12% | $100,300 | $406,110 | 1,550 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $199,870 | −14% | $94,130 | $530,080 | 80 |
| 17 | Nevada | $192,460 | −17% | $90,890 | $293,240 | 2,160 |
| 18 | Utah | $174,590 | −25% | $108,270 | $433,330 | 1,880 |
| 19 | Oregon | $173,190 | −25% | $100,260 | $424,850 | 750 |
| 20 | Indiana | $171,260 | −26% | $83,680 | $338,390 | Not published |
| 21 | Arkansas | $168,970 | −27% | $124,990 | $170,960 | 250 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $164,990 | −29% | $88,090 | $369,300 | 2,270 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $164,880 | −29% | $93,300 | $286,150 | 40 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $151,540 | −35% | $97,700 | $206,700 | 2,240 |
| 25 | Maine | $147,930 | −36% | $96,630 | $354,100 | 40 |
| 26 | Kansas | $143,580 | −38% | $85,860 | $205,580 | 80 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $143,580 | −38% | $112,420 | $177,110 | 360 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $143,580 | −38% | $97,070 | $227,550 | 110 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $143,580 | −38% | $109,760 | $172,390 | 110 |
| 30 | Alabama | $136,990 | −41% | $108,890 | $176,620 | 360 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $136,990 | −41% | $117,080 | $172,330 | 50 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $133,680 | −42% | $119,230 | $184,790 | 180 |
| 33 | Iowa | $131,730 | −43% | $64,100 | $201,080 | 100 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $131,650 | −43% | $59,400 | $233,970 | 60 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $120,740 | −48% | $74,700 | $251,190 | 150 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $99,280 | −57% | $74,130 | $321,250 | 50 |
| 37 | Missouri | $97,680 | −58% | $60,920 | $172,330 | 120 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary questions
Which state pays airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers the most?
Georgia, with a median of $618,090 a year (+166% vs. the national median of $232,140). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers the least?
Missouri, with a median of $97,680 a year (−58% vs. national).
Where do most airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 10,930, with a median of $215,150.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.