Pilots
Overview
Introduction
Pilots perform many different kinds of flying jobs. In general, pilots operate an aircraft for the transportation of passengers, freight, mail, or for other commercial purposes. There are approximately 122,350 airline pilots, co-pilots, flight engineers, and commercial pilots employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Airline pilots are among the highest paid workers in the country. Salaries vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the specific airline, type of aircraft flown, number of years with a company, and level of experience. Airline pilots are also paid more for international and nighttime flights.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual earnings of airline pilot...
Work Environment
Airline pilots work with the best possible equipment and under highly favorable circumstances. They command a great deal of respect. Although many pilots regularly fly the same routes, no two flights are ever the same. FAA regulations limit airline pilots to no more than 100 flying hours per month. Most airline pilots fly approximately 75 hours per month and spend another 75 hours a month on no...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts average employment growth for airline pilots, copilots, flight engineers, and commercial pilots through 2028. Opportunities should arise because of retirements, and will be especially good with regional airlines and nonscheduled aviation services, which have lower entry-level requirements. "There is typically less competition among applicants in these secto...
