Commercial Pilots
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,120 | $106,420 | N/A | |
| Alaska | 1,010 | $124,440 | N/A | |
| Arizona | 1,350 | $99,590 | N/A | |
| Arkansas | 510 | $95,520 | N/A | |
| California | 5,090 | $157,990 | N/A | |
| Colorado | 1,090 | $119,070 | N/A | |
| Delaware | 210 | $120,130 | N/A | |
| Florida | 5,190 | $109,600 | N/A | |
| Georgia | 880 | $133,460 | N/A | |
| Hawaii | 180 | $129,930 | N/A | |
| Idaho | 280 | $97,590 | N/A | |
| Illinois | 750 | $88,190 | N/A | |
| Indiana | 720 | $100,490 | N/A | |
| Iowa | 500 | $93,890 | N/A | |
| Kansas | 550 | $102,810 | N/A | |
| Louisiana | 790 | $98,860 | N/A | |
| Maine | 60 | $84,950 | N/A | |
| Maryland | 370 | $144,460 | N/A | |
| Massachusetts | 160 | $120,800 | N/A | |
| Michigan | 1,120 | $95,710 | N/A | |
| Minnesota | 500 | $112,880 | N/A | |
| Mississippi | 290 | $93,590 | N/A | |
| Missouri | 970 | $107,130 | N/A | |
| Montana | 440 | $92,810 | N/A | |
| Nebraska | 370 | $79,800 | N/A | |
| Nevada | 390 | $109,950 | N/A | |
| New Hampshire | 350 | $89,750 | N/A | |
| New Jersey | 370 | $97,680 | N/A | |
| New Mexico | 640 | $92,570 | N/A | |
| New York | 810 | $134,070 | N/A | |
| North Carolina | 1,170 | $109,550 | N/A | |
| North Dakota | 240 | $99,860 | N/A | |
| Ohio | 2,230 | $124,370 | N/A | |
| Oklahoma | 460 | $100,910 | N/A | |
| Oregon | 810 | $89,620 | N/A | |
| Pennsylvania | 610 | $105,270 | N/A | |
| Rhode Island | 50 | $124,620 | N/A | |
| South Carolina | 410 | $86,570 | N/A | |
| South Dakota | 240 | $71,920 | N/A | |
| Tennessee | 470 | $106,210 | N/A | |
| Texas | 4,720 | $107,990 | N/A | |
| Utah | 360 | $129,570 | N/A | |
| Virginia | 770 | $125,670 | N/A | |
| Washington | 1,530 | $94,340 | N/A | |
| West Virginia | 50 | $91,280 | N/A | |
| Wisconsin | 460 | $122,060 | N/A | |
| Wyoming | 200 | $99,850 | N/A |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the flying and/or navigation of commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue fixed wing aircraft. Includes instruction in principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications, navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to sit for the FAA commercial and airline aircrew examinations.
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly and/or navigate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue aircraft, and fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Includes instruction in principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications and navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to administer the FAA commercial air crew examinations.
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$115,080 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Postsecondary nondegree awardTypical education requirement
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Moderate-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as commercial pilots.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 5%
- College dropout 13%
- Associate’s degree 7%
- Bachelor’s degree 57%
- Master’s degree 15%
- Doctorate degree 3%
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