Airline Pilot vs Actuary Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Airline Pilot
$151,018/yr median(+$29,494 · 24.3% more)
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+
Actuary
Median$121,524
Mean$128,392
10th %ile$73,842
25th %ile$89,890
75th %ile$156,664
90th %ile$186,419
Employed27K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
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 |
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,842 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,524 |
| 75th percentile | $156,664 |
| 90th percentile | $186,419 |
Top Paying States
Airline Pilot
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $226,490 |
| 2 | Florida | $220,350 |
| 3 | Texas | $214,670 |
| 4 | Oregon | $214,520 |
| 5 | Colorado | $211,860 |
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| 2 | Washington | $153,260 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $148,220 |
| 4 | Alabama | $143,230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $137,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Airline Pilot or Actuary?
- Airline Pilot pays more with a median salary of $151,018/year, which is 24.3% more than Actuary at $121,524/year.
- What is the salary difference between Airline Pilot and Actuary?
- The median salary difference is $29,494/year (24.3%).