📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$409,883
per year
Median
$329,639
per year
Hourly
$197.06
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$176,884
25th Percentile — Junior$278,306
50th Percentile — Median$329,639
75th Percentile — Senior$506,506
90th Percentile — Top Earners$605,948
💡 Top-earning Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineerss in California make up to $605,948 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$362.3k
2021
$371.3k
2022
$380.6k
2023
$390.1k
2024
$399.9k
2025
$409.9k
2026
📈 Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salaries in California have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $635,319 +55.0% Medium
San Diego $606,627 +48.0% Medium
San Jose $704,999 +72.0% Medium
San Francisco $758,284 +85.0% Medium
Fresno $442,674 +8.0% Medium
Sacramento $500,057 +22.0% Medium
Long Beach $594,330 +45.0% Medium
Bakersfield $442,674 +8.0% Medium
Anaheim $582,034 +42.0% Medium
Santa Ana $573,836 +40.0% Medium
Riverside $524,650 +28.0% Medium
Stockton $483,662 +18.0% Medium
Irvine $635,319 +55.0% Medium
San Bernardino $483,662 +18.0% Medium
Modesto $459,069 +12.0% Medium
Fontana $500,057 +22.0% Medium
Moreno Valley $471,365 +15.0% Medium
Glendale $606,627 +48.0% Medium
Fremont $655,813 +60.0% Medium
🔍
Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineerss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $409,883 per year, California's Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $176,884–$278,306, while experienced Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineerss can command $506,506–$605,948.

Looking ahead, the Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers profession in California is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salary in California is $409,883 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $288,650.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineerss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers employment.
  • At $409,883/year, California Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $288,650/year.