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

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers out-earn Agricultural Engineers by $134K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Engineers land at $98,590 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers at $232,140. The education gap is real: agricultural engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineer programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Engineers is Ohio ($119,250); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers it's Georgia ($618,090).

Agricultural Engineers
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median salary
$98,590
$232,140
Hourly rate
$47.4/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$68,060
$106,710
Senior level (90th %)
$166,460
$463,830
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
1,480
103,560
Job growth (10-year)
5.9%
3.9%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Ohio
Georgia

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Engineers
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Ohio
$119,250
$204,170
Minnesota
$115,940
$211,470
Iowa
$96,290
$131,730
Texas
$95,220
$215,150
Indiana
$94,730
$171,260
Mississippi
$91,560
$143,580
Colorado
$88,650
$307,490
Oklahoma
$86,970
$133,680
Michigan
$80,490
$428,570
Pennsylvania
$80,300
$164,990
Arkansas
$57,740
$168,970

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

Common questions

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

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $98,590 for Agricultural Engineers versus $232,140 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, a difference of $134K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Agricultural Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.9% projected growth, compared to 3.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Agricultural 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 Agricultural Engineers get paid the most?

Ohio is the top-paying state for Agricultural Engineers at $119,250/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Agricultural Engineers earn $119,250 vs. $204,170 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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