Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where California airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $208,070 and $390,260, with a median of $353,900.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $263,750. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $192,705 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $263,750 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $334,650 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR 7 LLC | PILOT IN COMMAND | 1 | $270,000 |
| Aviation Consultants, Inc. | Pilot | 1 | $225,000 |
| CCG Global, LLC | Captain | 1 | $350,000 |
| Helicopters Inc. | Helicopter Pilot | 1 | $160,410 |
| MATACHICA LLC | CLIENT AVIATION MANAGER | 1 | $319,300 |
| Sunset Aviation LLC | Pilot | 1 | $257,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Helicopter Pilot at Helicopters Inc.$160,410Van NuysWage Level IDecided Mar 6, 2026I-203-26058-669548
- Pilot at Sunset Aviation LLC$257,500San JoseWage Level IIDecided Nov 18, 2025I-203-25314-393978
- Pilot at Aviation Consultants, Inc.$225,000San Luis ObispoWage Level IDecided Jul 17, 2025I-203-25191-166153
- CLIENT AVIATION MANAGER at MATACHICA LLC$319,300PETALUMAWage Level IIIDecided Jul 3, 2025I-203-25177-131002
- PILOT IN COMMAND at AIR 7 LLC$270,000CAMARILLOWage Level IIDecided May 5, 2025I-203-25118-910996
- Captain at CCG Global, LLC$350,000Santa MonicaWage Level IIIDecided Oct 1, 2024I-203-24268-360979
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Transportation and logistics leads with a median of $257,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation and logistics | AIR 7 LLC | 5 | $257,500 |
| Finance and insurance | CCG Global, LLC | 1 | $350,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Operation and Control
Technical
- 4.9 / 5
Response Orientation
Ability
- 4.8 / 5
Transportation
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Operations Monitoring
Technical
- 4.6 / 5
Control Precision
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Reaction Time
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- 02
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- 03
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- 04
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- 05
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- 06
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- 07
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- 08
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$374,680
- Los Angeles$364,730
- San Jose$343,140
- San Diego$321,950
- Riverside$207,000
Compare Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California is $353,900.
- How does California compare to the national median for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
- The California median is +23.5% versus the BLS national figure of $286,482.
- What is the salary range for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $179,270 and the 90th-percentile at $427,660, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.