SOC 53-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — Michigan
Michigan · 1 metro areas compared
In Michigan the median wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers reaches $428,570 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Michigan the median wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers reaches $428,570 a year. That is 84.6% more than the national median of $232,140. Pay ranges from under $181,880 at the tenth percentile to more than $428,570 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $215,440 to $428,570.
Michigan ranks number 3rd out of 37 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $428,570. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 2nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $181,880 | −21.7% |
| 25th | $215,440 | −7.2% |
| Median (50th) | $428,570 | +84.6% |
| 75th | $428,570 | +84.6% |
| 90th | $428,570 | +84.6% |
| Mean | $330,480 | +42.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $428,570 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $428,570 goes as far as $445,499 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 91.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$428,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$445,499US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $428,570 a year, 84.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $181,880 to $428,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 3rd of 37 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $428,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $428,570, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $232,140, so pay in Michigan is 84.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Michigan earns more than $428,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $181,880 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Detroit, at $428,570 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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