Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in South Carolina
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $143,580 a year, based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,550 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $232,140. South Carolina ranks 28th of 37 states for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pay. There are 0.05 airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.07). The average (mean) salary is $150,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,070 |
| 25th percentile | $128,070 |
| Median | $143,580 |
| 75th percentile | $169,690 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,550 |
| Average (mean) | $150,970 |
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 | $11,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,982.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,522.31 |
| Weekly | $2,761.15 |
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 $143,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $151,540 | 2,090 |
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.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $105,740 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $112,030 | $53.86 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,490 | $14.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in South Carolina is $143,580 a year. Pay ranges from $97,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in South Carolina earn at least $227,550 a year. The top 25% earn $169,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,070 a year, and a quarter of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn $128,070 or less.
How many airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers work in South Carolina?
About 110 airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.