National salary comparison — BLS OES 2024-2025 data
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Machine Learning Engineers earn a national median of $158,000/year vs Pilots at $203,010/year. Pilots earn 28% more nationally. The gap is $45,010 per year — or $3,751 per month.
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Machine Learning Engineer
$158,000
national median/year
$13,167/mo • $76/hr
VS
Pilot
$203,010
national median/year
$16,918/mo • $98/hr
Annual salary gap
$45,010
Pilots earn 28% more per year nationally. Over 30 years at 7% investment return that gap compounds to approximately $510,202.
Best states for Pilots
vs Machine Learning Engineers
Alaska+$86,010
Hawaii+$78,010
Florida+$52,010
Illinois+$52,010
Minnesota+$52,010
Best states for Machine Learning Engineers
vs Pilots
California+$-26,010
Washington+$-30,010
Idaho+$-38,010
Virginia+$-38,010
Alabama+$-40,010
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Pilots earn more nationally. The median annual salary for Machine Learning Engineers is $158,000 versus $203,010 for Pilots — a difference of $45,010 per year or $3,751 per month.
The national median salary gap between Machine Learning Engineers and Pilots is $45,010 per year. Pilots earn 28% more. Over a 30-year career this difference, if invested at 7% annual return, compounds to approximately $510,202.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Machine Learning Engineers the highest median salary at $212,000 per year.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Pilots the highest median salary at $238,010 per year.
Salary is one factor — Pilots earn more nationally. But career choice involves job satisfaction, work-life balance, education requirements, and job growth. Computer and Information Research Scientists and Airline and Commercial Pilots both have different educational paths, licensing requirements, and long-term growth projections. Use salary as a starting point, not the only factor.
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, Machine Learning Engineers earn approximately $76 per hour nationally and Pilots earn approximately $98 per hour. Actual hourly rates vary based on overtime, part-time work, and whether the role is salaried or hourly.
Methodology: Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024-2025. Figures represent median annual wages for wage and salary workers. Self-employed excluded. Hourly rates calculated at 2,080 hours per year. State salary figures from same BLS OES dataset. Updated annually.
