Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in California
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California earn an average of $310,190 a year. That is $21,540 (7%) more than the U.S. average of $288,650. The best-paying metro area is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $339,750.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers by metro area. Swipe to see all 6.
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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in California, charted
Pay over time
Where California airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers work
Average pay by state
California vs. neighbors
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $288,650 | – |
| California | $310,190 | – |
| Arizona | $236,550 | – |
| Oregon | $209,040 | – |
| Nevada | $204,470 | – |
Related jobs in California
- Flight Attendants$83,000
- Commercial Pilots$202,040
- Air Traffic Controllers$156,910
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45,590
- Stockers and Order Fillers$43,440
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$62,020
Average pay, California, May 2025
Questions and answers
How much do airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make in California?
The average is $310,190 a year, and the median is $353,900. That is $21,540 (7%) more than the U.S. average of $288,650.
Where in California do they earn the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($339,750), followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($305,220). The lowest average among 6 metro areas with data is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($252,590).
How does California rank?
California ranks #5 of 37 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.