Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$179,270
- 25th Percentile — Junior$208,070
- 50th Percentile — Median$353,900
- 75th Percentile — Senior$390,260
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$427,660
Half of Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in California earn more than $353,900. The top 10% make $427,660 or more, while entry-level workers start around $179,270.
Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 37 states for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pay, at $310,190 per year (7.5% above the U.S. average of $288,650).
- 10,670 people work as Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in California — 10.3% of all U.S. Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $179,270; the top 10% earn over $427,660.
- Hourly equivalent: $149.13 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Georgia at $476,310.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($202,040).
Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers here earn $310,190 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $310,190 is roughly equivalent to $218,444 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($476,310), Idaho ($361,180), Michigan ($330,480) are the closest alternatives for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Commercial Pilots $202,040/yr California 34.9% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $156,910/yr California 49.4% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $129,580/yr California 58.2% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California 71.5% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $75,600/yr California 75.6% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California 80.0% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California 82.8% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $50,360/yr California 83.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salary in California?
The average Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salary in California is $310,190 per year (median $353,900), which is 7.5% above the national average of $288,650.
How does California rank for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pay?
California ranks 5th out of 37 states. The highest-paying state is Georgia ($476,310/yr).
How much do entry-level Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in California earn about $179,270 per year and the 25th percentile is $208,070.
How much do Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers make per hour in California?
About $149.13 per hour, based on the $310,190 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 10,670 Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data