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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $293,490, with 6,360 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $179,840 at the 10th percentile to $429,040 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$293,490

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

—

Employment

6,360

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$179,840
10th
$205,480
25th
$293,490
Median
$420,280
75th
$429,040
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$293,490

Median annual · 2025

United States

$232,140

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 26.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $61,350).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 4.9
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 4.6
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 4.1
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 4.1
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 4.0
  7. 7.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Time ManagementImportance 3.9
  9. 9.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.8
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.6
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.6

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • AeroPlanner
  • Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
  • AirSmith FlightPrompt
  • CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B
  • Document Object Model DOM Scripting
  • doXstor Flight Level Logbook
  • Electronic aircraft information databases
  • IFT-Pro
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Word
  • MJICCS PilotLog

Common tasks

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL