California Median
$353,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$170.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+52% vs US median
US median $232,140
State Rank
#4 of 37
10,670 employed here
How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in California?
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers working in California earn a median salary of $353,900 per year, or about $170.14 per hour. That is 52% above the national median of $232,140 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $179,270 while the top 10% make $427,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $208,070 and $390,260 a year.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $179,270 | $86.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $208,070 | $100.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $353,900 | $170.14 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $390,260 | $187.63 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $427,660 | $205.61 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 37 states and territories for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in other states
Georgia $618,090Idaho $507,640Michigan $428,570Kentucky $350,950Colorado $307,490Illinois $293,490New York $255,240Alaska $232,140Washington $229,900Arizona $227,870Florida $225,020Texas $215,150Minnesota $211,470Ohio $204,170Connecticut $199,870Nevada $192,460Utah $174,590Oregon $173,190Indiana $171,260Arkansas $168,970Pennsylvania $164,990Rhode Island $164,880North Carolina $151,540Maine $147,930Kansas $143,580Mississippi $143,580South Carolina $143,580Tennessee $143,580Alabama $136,990New Mexico $136,990Oklahoma $133,680Iowa $131,730Nebraska $131,650Louisiana $120,740New Hampshire $99,280Missouri $97,680
Working as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California
Nationally, about 104,000 people work as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($353,900) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in California?
The median Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in California is $353,900 per year, or about $170.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $179,270 at the entry level to $427,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers about 52% more than the national median of $232,140. California ranks 4th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $353,900 a year. About 10,670 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.