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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Commercial Pilots

Median Salary
113,080
Job Outlook
+5%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,500 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$63,230

10%

$113,080

Median

$208,000+

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-secondary certificate

    36%

  • High school

    28%

  • Some college

    16%

  • Less than high school

    15%

  • Associate's degree

    1%

  • Post baccalaureate

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
  • Flight Instructor

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Transportation
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Geography
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mechanical

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.