Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $428,570 a year, based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $198,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $428,570 for the top 10%. That is 85% higher than the national median of $232,140. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $428,570. The average (mean) salary is $332,090, close to the median.
Pay range for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $198,690 |
| 25th percentile | $215,440 |
| Median | $428,570 |
| 75th percentile | $428,570 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $428,570 |
| Average (mean) | $332,090 |
Half of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $35,714.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $17,857.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $16,483.46 |
| Weekly | $8,241.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $428,570 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $618,090 |
| Idaho | $507,640 |
| Michigan | $428,570 |
| California | $353,900 |
| Kentucky | $350,950 |
| Colorado | $307,490 |
| Illinois | $293,490 |
| New York | $255,240 |
| Alaska | $232,140 |
| Washington | $229,900 |
See Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $133,220 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $178,310 | $85.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,390 | $17.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $428,570 a year. Pay ranges from $198,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $428,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $428,570 a year. The top 25% earn $428,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $198,690 a year, and a quarter of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn $215,440 or less.