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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 Engineerss out-earn Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicianss by $147K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicianss land at $79,830 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss at $226,600. 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 Technicianss is Washington ($105,910); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss it's Kentucky ($413,070).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median salary
$79,830
$226,600
Hourly rate
$38.38/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$53,730
$98,560
Senior level (90th %)
$120,440
$0
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
9,060
99,300
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Washington
Kentucky

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
$105,910
$382,350
Alaska
$105,850
$226,490
Nevada
$98,770
$180,600
California
$96,370
$321,460
Texas
$83,320
$214,670
Connecticut
$81,460
$189,630
Florida
$80,150
$220,350
Virginia
$80,120
$279,820
South Carolina
$78,820
$158,290
Ohio
$76,750
$277,580
New York
$62,650
$290,170
Arizona
$62,160
$198,800
Indiana
$58,810
$171,050
Oregon
$57,680
$214,520
Michigan
$46,620
$307,070

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicianss or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $79,830 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicianss versus $226,600 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss, a difference of $147K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians 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, 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 Technicianss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicianss at $105,910/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. 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 Technicianss earn $105,910 vs. $382,350 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss. 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 Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineerss 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 →