Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary in California

Ranked #5 of 37 · CA

7.5% above U.S. average
Mean annual salary $310,190 ≈ $149/hr
Median annual salary $353,900
Employment 10,670

Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)

P10 $179,270P25 $208,070 Median $353,900P75 $390,260P90 $427,660

About 80% of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineerss in California earn between $179,270 and $427,660. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.

Compared to the U.S.

California
$310,190
U.S. average
$288,650

The mean airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers salary in California is $310,190, about 7.5% above the U.S. average ($288,650). That works out to roughly $149/hr at 2,080 hours per year.

Metro Areas in California

Metro areaMedianMeanEmployment
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $374,680 $339,750 2,900
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $364,730 $304,820 6,710
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $343,140 $305,220 50
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $321,950 $278,370 340
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $207,000 $252,590 160
Fresno, CA $195,310 $261,420 80

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make in California?

The median airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers salary in California is $353,900 per year (mean $310,190), and about 80% earn between $179,270 and $427,660.

How much do airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make per hour in California?

Roughly $149 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $310,190 and 2,080 work hours per year.

Is California a high-paying state for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?

California ranks #5 of 37 states for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pay. Its mean salary of $310,190 is about 7.5% above the U.S. average of $288,650.

Which metro areas in California pay airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers the most?

The highest-paying metro areas in California for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($374,680), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($364,730), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($343,140), by median annual wage.

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