Aerospace Engineer vs Airline Pilot Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Airline Pilot
$151,018/yr median(+$24,725 · 19.6% more)
Aerospace Engineer
Median$126,293
Mean$131,559
10th %ile$85,586
25th %ile$102,100
75th %ile$156,298
90th %ile$184,321
Employed68K+
Higher pay
Airline Pilot
Median$151,018
Mean$174,119
10th %ile$84,298
25th %ile$108,165
75th %ile$165,403
90th %ile$172,778
Employed41K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Aerospace Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,586 |
| 25th percentile | $102,100 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $126,293 |
| 75th percentile | $156,298 |
| 90th percentile | $184,321 |
Airline Pilot
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $84,298 |
| 25th percentile | $108,165 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $151,018 |
| 75th percentile | $165,403 |
| 90th percentile | $172,778 |
Top Paying States
Aerospace Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $175,350 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,600 |
| 3 | Maryland | $158,220 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $152,210 |
| 5 | Colorado | $151,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Aerospace Engineer or Airline Pilot?
- Airline Pilot pays more with a median salary of $151,018/year, which is 19.6% more than Aerospace Engineer at $126,293/year.
- What is the salary difference between Aerospace Engineer and Airline Pilot?
- The median salary difference is $24,725/year (19.6%).