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Aerospace Engineers vs. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Who Earns More?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers out-earn Aerospace Engineers by $97K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineers land at $134,960 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers at $232,140. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineer programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers is Minnesota ($159,060); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers it's Georgia ($618,090).

Aerospace Engineers
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median salary
$134,960
$232,140
Hourly rate
$64.89/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,700
$106,710
Senior level (90th %)
$205,890
$463,830
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
67,710
103,560
Job growth (10-year)
6.1%
3.9%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Georgia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineers median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineers
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Minnesota
$159,060
$211,470
Washington
$158,370
$229,900
California
$157,620
$353,900
Colorado
$156,190
$307,490
Georgia
$140,460
$618,090
Ohio
$138,440
$204,170
New York
$130,330
$255,240
Texas
$130,270
$215,150
Florida
$129,280
$225,020
Michigan
$128,960
$428,570
Kentucky
$126,130
$350,950
Arizona
$123,170
$227,870
Illinois
$108,940
$293,490
Alaska
$101,710
$232,140
Idaho
$95,700
$507,640

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers versus $232,140 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, a difference of $97K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 3.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Aerospace Engineers 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 Engineers get paid the most?

Minnesota is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers at $159,060/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Aerospace Engineers earn $159,060 vs. $211,470 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineersGuide →