Salary distribution
Where North Carolina 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 $98,560 and $206,160, with a median of $154,360.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in North Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $351,000. 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 | 1 | $130,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $143,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in North Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlines, Inc. | Airline Pilot | 5 | $351,000 |
| Avelo Airlines Inc | First Officer | 1 | $130,000 |
| Piedmont Airlines, Inc. | Captain | 1 | $460,200 |
| FlyRight Holdings Inc. | Pilots Flight Instructor | 1 | $143,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Airline Pilot at PSA Airlines, Inc.$351,000CharlotteDecided Nov 24, 2025I-203-25321-412574
- First Officer at Avelo Airlines Inc$130,000MorrisvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 10, 2025I-203-25183-148807
- Captain at Piedmont Airlines, Inc.$460,200CharlotteDecided May 28, 2025I-203-25140-997390
- Pilots Flight Instructor at FlyRight Holdings Inc.$143,500ConcordWage Level IIIDecided May 20, 2025I-200-25133-970449
- Airline Pilot at PSA Airlines, Inc.$351,000CharlotteDecided Nov 24, 2025I-203-25321-412560
- Airline Pilot at PSA Airlines, Inc.$351,000CharlotteDecided Sep 19, 2025I-203-25255-306446
- Airline Pilot at PSA Airlines, Inc.$351,000CharlotteDecided Sep 19, 2025I-203-25255-306497
- Airline Pilot at PSA Airlines, Inc.$351,000CharlotteDecided Sep 19, 2025I-203-25255-306469
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Transportation and logistics leads with a median of $351,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation and logistics | PSA Airlines, Inc. | 7 | $351,000 |
| Education | FlyRight Holdings Inc. | 1 | $143,500 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in North Carolina
Metro-level salary data for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in major North Carolina metropolitan areas.
- Charlotte$154,360
Compare Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in North Carolina is $154,360.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
- The North Carolina median is +38.4% versus the BLS national figure of $111,528.
- What is the salary range for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $97,480 and the 90th-percentile at $208,460, 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.