Flying
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.
$186870
Bachelor’s degree
High job satisfaction
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.
$110830
Bachelor’s degree
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
Helicopter Pilots
Helicopters Pilots typically fly helicopters to transport cargo or passengers from one destination to another. Helicopter Pilots may also fly helicopters to carry out other work, including aerial photography, rescue operations, and firefighting.
$95000
Cargo Pilots
Cargo Pilots are licensed pilots who fly cargo aircraft for shipping companies or postal services. As with Passenger Pilots, Cargo Pilots fly a variety of aircraft and work alternating schedules.
$62400
Aerial Survey Pilots
The main job of an Aerial Survey Pilot is to fly planes equipped with various sensors. They follow specific GPS coordinates to collect data that is downloaded after the flight.
$51000
Corporate Pilots
The primary responsibility of a Corporate Pilot is to transport people by plane for a company. They can work full time for a company with a corporate jet, or they might fly for a company that rents planes to companies.
$99600
Commercial Pilots
Commercial Pilots navigate aircraft for charter companies, firefighting, skydiving, crop dusting, and other industries. They cannot fly for major airlines, but they can continue getting flight hours to earn an Airline Pilot license later on.
$96500