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

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers out-earn Agricultural Technicians by $183K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Technicians land at $49,630 and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers at $232,140. The education gap is real: agricultural technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineer programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians is Iowa ($64,070); for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers it's Georgia ($618,090).

Agricultural Technicians
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Median salary
$49,630
$232,140
Hourly rate
$23.86/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,980
$106,710
Senior level (90th %)
$76,480
$463,830
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
15,130
103,560
Job growth (10-year)
4.3%
3.9%
Category
Science
Transportation
Top-paying state
Iowa
Georgia

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Technicians
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Arizona
$62,990
$227,870
California
$60,320
$353,900
Kentucky
$59,860
$350,950
Minnesota
$57,310
$211,470
Texas
$50,270
$215,150
Georgia
$48,960
$618,090
Idaho
$48,870
$507,640
Washington
$48,220
$229,900
Colorado
$47,020
$307,490
Utah
$46,560
$174,590
Illinois
$46,410
$293,490
New York
$45,830
$255,240
Nevada
$43,590
$192,460
Michigan
$42,780
$428,570
Florida
$42,700
$225,020

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

Common questions

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

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $49,630 for Agricultural Technicians versus $232,140 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, a difference of $183K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Agricultural Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 4.3% projected growth, compared to 3.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Agricultural 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 Agricultural Technicians get paid the most?

Iowa is the top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians at $64,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Arizona, Agricultural Technicians earn $62,990 vs. $227,870 for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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