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Occupation · SOC 53-2011

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

There are 103,560 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $232,140 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

TransportationTypical education: Bachelor's degree
103,560
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$232,140
Median pay a year
Middle half: $182,280–$384,440
11,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +8.3%
20
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 50% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 44 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $335,270 · LCA filings 710,030$335,2707
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $618,090 · LCA filings 08,700$618,0900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $364,730 · LCA filings 06,710$364,7300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $293,490 · LCA filings 76,360$293,4907
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $212,810 · LCA filings 05,980$212,8100
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $307,490 · LCA filings 05,600$307,4900
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $209,750 · LCA filings 75,100$209,7507
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $216,070 · LCA filings 04,810$216,0700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $307,690 · LCA filings 04,160$307,6900
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $229,900 · LCA filings 03,340$229,9000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployment 8,700 · LCA filings 0$618,0908,7000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,900 · LCA filings 0$374,6802,9000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 6,710 · LCA filings 0$364,7306,7100
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INEmployment 3,330 · LCA filings 0$350,9503,3300
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$343,140500

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 10,0307110,030
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 6,360716,360
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 5,100715,100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 2,120112,120
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 2,090112,090

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $222,713 · Level III $297,137 · Level IV $371,560$148,290$222,713$297,137$371,560
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $243,173 · Level III $315,887 · Level IV $388,600$170,460$243,173$315,887$388,600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $203,283 · Level III $271,497 · Level IV $339,710$135,070$203,283$271,497$339,710
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $177,023 · Level III $234,527 · Level IV $292,030$119,520$177,023$234,527$292,030
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $199,073 · Level III $259,187 · Level IV $319,300$138,960$199,073$259,187$319,300
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $222,853 · Level III $299,377 · Level IV $375,900$146,330$222,853$299,377$375,900
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $232,267 · Level III $300,003 · Level IV $367,740$164,530$232,267$300,003$367,740
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $213,933 · Level III $287,907 · Level IV $361,880$139,960$213,933$287,907$361,880
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $119,510 · Level III $146,320 · Level IV $173,130$92,700$119,510$146,320$173,130

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Air TransportationCIP 49.01Varies by program991Varies by program

See Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in every metro area

All 44 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Transportation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology