Actuaries vs. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Who Earns More?
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss out-earn Actuariess by $101K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Actuariess land at $125,770 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss at $226,600. The education gap is real: actuary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineer programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Actuariess is District of Columbia ($153,340); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss it's Kentucky ($413,070).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Actuaries median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Actuariess or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss?
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $125,770 for Actuariess versus $226,600 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss, a difference of $101K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Which has better job growth, Actuaries or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Actuaries or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Actuaries typically requires bachelor's degree. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Actuariess get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Actuariess at $153,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Actuaries vs. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Actuariess earn $153,260 vs. $382,350 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.