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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Who Earns More?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers out-earn Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by $149K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers at $232,140. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineer programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers it's Georgia ($618,090).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median salary
$82,890
$232,140
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$106,710
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$463,830
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
11,280
103,560
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
3.9%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Washington
Georgia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Washington
$125,160
$229,900
Alaska
$105,780
$232,140
Nevada
$102,980
$192,460
California
$99,000
$353,900
Colorado
$98,990
$307,490
Oregon
$81,100
$173,190
Connecticut
$79,410
$199,870
Ohio
$79,310
$204,170
Florida
$78,560
$225,020
Texas
$78,350
$215,150
Utah
$76,680
$174,590
Arizona
$75,230
$227,870
Minnesota
$71,240
$211,470
Michigan
$69,840
$428,570
New York
$64,480
$255,240

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $232,140 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, a difference of $149K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 3.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians 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 Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $229,900 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineersGuide →