Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Airline Pilots
Airline Pilots pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
Table of contents
What they do
Airline Pilots pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Airline Pilots steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers. They monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
A typical day for an Airline Pilot will also include:
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Airline Pilots also perform minor maintenance work or arrange for major maintenance. They may also respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Airline Pilots order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure the safety of flights. They might also instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
In addition, they evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
To some Airline Pilots, it is also their responsibility to conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
74% said they were satisfied with their job and 53% said they found their job meaningful.
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There’s a tremendous amount of variation here. Some pilots work punishing schedules at low pay; others enjoy fat salaries and long layovers in glamorous foreign cities. It depends on which company the pilot works for, which aircraft and base he or she is assigned to, whether he or she is a first officer or a … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
One of the highest-paid careers in the world.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Demand for this career is declining.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Airline Pilots with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $80,920 to $106,530 per year or $* to $* per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $208,000+ | $* |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $208,000+ | $* |
| Median | $160,970 | $* |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $106,530 | $* |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $80,920 | $* |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Airline Pilots based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Air Transportation | $191340 | $* |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $161080 | $* |
| Nonscheduled Air Transportation | $131420 | $* |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $116830 | $* |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $115760 | $* |
| Federal Executive Branch | $113030 | $* |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $101290 | $* |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $93990 | $* |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $ | $* |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Airline Pilots work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Airline Pilots including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Air Transportation | 72290 | $191340 | $* |
| Federal Executive Branch | 2990 | $113030 | $* |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | 1720 | $115760 | $* |
| Nonscheduled Air Transportation | 1440 | $131420 | $* |
| Technical and Trade Schools | 200 | $116830 | $* |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 190 | $161080 | $* |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 110 | $101290 | $* |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | 90 | $ | $* |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 80 | $93990 | $* |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
Flight Instructor
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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