Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$350,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$168.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+51% vs US median
US median $232,140
State Rank
#5 of 37
6,260 employed here

How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in Kentucky?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $350,950 per year, or about $168.73 per hour. That is 51% above the national median of $232,140 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $182,780 while the top 10% make $407,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $214,120 and $398,760 a year.

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$182,780$87.88
25th percentile (early career)$214,120$102.94
50th percentile (median)$350,950$168.73
75th percentile (experienced)$398,760$191.71
90th percentile (top earners)$407,760$196.04

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 5th out of 37 states and territories for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Georgia$618,090
2Idaho$507,640
3Michigan$428,570
4California$353,900
5Kentucky$350,950

Working as Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($350,950) 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 Kentucky?
The median Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in Kentucky is $350,950 per year, or about $168.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $182,780 at the entry level to $407,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers about 51% more than the national median of $232,140. Kentucky ranks 5th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $350,950 a year. About 6,260 Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.