What Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers this way: "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. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor"; "Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions"; "Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings"; "Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment"; "Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 104,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 113,300 in 2035, an increase of 8,700 jobs (+8.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $232,140, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn the most
Across the 7 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $250,066 in Texas to $618,090 in Georgia, a gap of $368,024 (2.47 times). 7 of those 7 states average above the BLS national median of $232,140 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 11,790, which is 17.5% of the 67,180 counted across them. Texas follows with 10,370.
Highest-paying states
Georgia ($618,090), California ($362,234) and New York ($335,270) lead the ranking, while Texas ($250,066) and Illinois ($293,490) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 7 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Fulton County, GA (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA) at $356,187. The smallest margin is $133,050 in Dallas County, TX.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 7 of the 7 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 5.1% and 15.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (53-2000) include Flight Attendants.
Frequently asked questions about Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
What is the national median wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $232,140. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $250,066 to $618,090.
Which state pays Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers the most?
Georgia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $618,090. California is next at $362,234.
What is the job outlook for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 8.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,200 openings a year.
What education do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Fulton County, GA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $356,187 on a median wage of $618,090.