Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Illinois 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 $204,790 and $420,280, with a median of $293,490.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 36 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 | 35 | $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.
- Captain, Pilot at SkyWest Airlines$381,160ChicagoDecided Mar 30, 2026I-203-26082-722939
- Captain at SkyWest Charter LLC$322,400ChicagoDecided Jul 25, 2025I-201-25200-186849
- Captain, Pilot at SkyWest Airlines$330,387ChicagoDecided Feb 3, 2026I-203-26027-593985
- First Officer, Pilot at SkyWest Airlines$197,538ChicagoDecided Jan 30, 2026I-203-26023-587067
- Pilot, First Officer CRJ at SkyWest Airlines$197,538ChicagoDecided Jan 28, 2026I-203-26021-578577
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$206,440ChicagoDecided Jan 23, 2026I-203-26015-563091
- Captain at SkyWest Airlines$367,474ChicagoDecided Jan 6, 2026I-203-25363-513433
- Pilot, First Officer at SkyWest Airlines$201,989ChicagoDecided Dec 4, 2025I-203-25330-441116
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.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 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 35 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 | 22 | $195,582 |
| Captain | SkyWest Airlines | 13 | $357,448 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois 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 Illinois
Metro-level salary data for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$293,490
Compare Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Illinois with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois is $293,490.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
- The Illinois median is +2.4% versus the BLS national figure of $286,482.
- What is the salary range for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $166,620 and the 90th-percentile at $421,610, 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.