Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $293,490 a year. About 6,360 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($232,140). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($293,490).
Pay range for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $179,840 |
| 25% of workers | $205,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $293,490 |
| 75% of workers | $420,280 |
| 90% of workers | $429,040 |
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $293,490 | 6,360 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +8.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 11,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $100,610 |
| Flight Attendants | $62,120 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.