Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay range in Detroit
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $198,690 a year or less, while the top 10% make $428,570 or more. The middle half of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Detroit earn between $215,440 and $428,570.
- $199K10th
- $215K25th
- $429KMedian
- $429K75th
- $429K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $332,090 | $27,674 | — |
| Median | $428,570 | $35,714 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $215,440 | $17,953 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $428,570 | $35,714 | — |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay in Detroit vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Detroit earn about the same as the Michigan average ($330,480) and 15% more than the U.S. average ($288,650). At the median the gap is +85% against the U.S. median of $232,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $332,090 | $428,570 | $198,690 | $428,570 | n/a |
| Michigan | $330,480 | $428,570 | $181,880 | $428,570 | n/a |
| United States | $288,650 | $232,140 | $106,710 | $463,830 | 103,560 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary after taxes in Detroit
On the average salary of $332,090, a single filer in Detroit takes home about $213,583 a year, or $17,799 a month and $8,215 every two weeks. Taxes take 36% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Is Detroit a good place for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Detroit area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.3), so the average $332,090 buys what about $331,103 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 8.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Detroit ($52,080). A typical home costs $269,080, or 0.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in nearby metro areas
- Akron, OH$173,240
- Chicago, IL$316,610
- Indianapolis, IN$207,730
- Cincinnati, OH$315,590
- Lexington, KY$265,090
- Washington, DC$235,100
Highest-paying cities for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Atlanta, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($477,580).
- Atlanta, GA$477,580
- Boise, ID$370,730
- San Francisco, CA$339,750
- Detroit, MI$332,090
- Chicago, IL$316,610
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary by city
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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salary in Detroit: questions
What is the entry-level airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers salary in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $198,690 a year and the 25th percentile is $215,440, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers take-home pay in Detroit?
About $213,583 a year ($17,799 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $332,090. Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Do airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn more in Detroit than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% more than the U.S. average for this job ($288,650).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-2011; area Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (19820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
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