Salary distribution
Where Illinois airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 30 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $197,538. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlines | Pilot, First Officer | 29 | $197,538 |
| SkyWest Charter LLC | Captain | 1 | $322,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$201,989ChicagoDecided Dec 4, 2025I-203-25330-441116
- Captain at SkyWest Charter LLC$322,400ChicagoDecided Jul 25, 2025I-201-25200-186849
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$197,538ChicagoDecided Sep 30, 2025I-203-25266-329823
- Captain at SkyWest Airlines$357,448ChicagoDecided Sep 9, 2025I-203-25245-281755
- Captain at SkyWest Airlines$367,474ChicagoDecided Aug 13, 2025I-203-25218-226407
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$187,200ChicagoDecided Aug 4, 2025I-203-25209-205215
- Captain at SkyWest Airlines$322,400ChicagoDecided Jul 25, 2025I-203-25199-186326
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$197,538ChicagoDecided Jul 21, 2025I-203-25195-173467
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay by experience level in Illinois
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 specialties in Illinois
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 30 certified offers. The most common variant is Pilot, First Officer at a median of $195,582.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot, First Officer | SkyWest Airlines | 20 | $195,582 |
| Captain | SkyWest Airlines | 10 | $357,448 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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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Metro-level salary data for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
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Frequently asked questions
- 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.