worthsay

Airline Pilot Salary in Washington: Is It a Good Career?

Washington · 2026 BLS salary data

an Airline Pilot pay in Washington

The median wage is $229,900/yr — 1% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Washingtonranks #10 of 37 states by median pay.

The numbers in Washington

Real BLS state-level figures for Airline Pilot.

Median salary
$229,900/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$202,420 – $396,810
National median
$232,140/yr
Employed in Washington
3,450

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Washington

Salary alone can mislead — Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
107
Nominal median
$229,900
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $214,860
State income tax
None

Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #14 of 37, down from #10 on raw salary.

Washington levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do airline pilot professionals make in Washington?

The median annual wage is $229,900 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $202,420 and $396,810. That's 1% below the national median.

Is Washington a good state for airline pilot?

By raw pay, Washington ranks #10 of 37 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $214,860. Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #14 of 37, down from #10 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are airline pilot professionals in demand in Washington?

About 3,450 people work in this field in Washington (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Airline Pilot nationally — Washington pay is 1% below the national median. See the full an Airline Pilot career guide →

The verdict

Yes long-term, but the road is expensive and slow — senior airline captains earn exceptional pay, yet you face six-figure training costs and years of low regional pay first. Worth it if you're committed to the career and can weather the ramp-up.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Exceptional pay ceiling for senior airline captains
  • Strong long-term demand and hiring
  • Travel and a non-desk lifestyle
  • Clear seniority-based progression
  • Strong union protections at major airlines

Cons

  • Six-figure training and licensing costs
  • Years of low regional pay before top salaries
  • Time away from home; irregular schedule
  • Strict medical and recurrent-training requirements
  • Seniority system means slow early progression

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People committed to aviation long-term
  • Those who can fund or finance training
  • Anyone who values travel over routine

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing high pay quickly
  • Those who can't handle time away from home

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Airline Pilot is worth it — titles link to the original threads.