Inflation (CPI): 25.2% (2.2% annual increase)

Pilots average wage increase: 67.8% (5.3% annual raise, $118,070 -> $198,190)

Lawyers average wage increase: 13.4% (1.2% annual raise, $130,490 -> $148,030)

A mere 4.1% points difference in their annual pay raises, but it really adds up over the years – pilots started the past decade with lower wages than lawyers, yet ended it much better off. Keeping pace with inflation is extremely important.

https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes532011.htm

http://web.archive.org/web/20120526161129/https://www.bls.go...

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm

http://web.archive.org/web/20120526012248/https://www.bls.go...