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.
Commercial Pilots
SOC: 53-2012 O*NET: 53-2012.00
Median Salary
$122,670
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Commercial Pilots do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$59,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$81,660
25th percentile
Median
$122,670
50th percentile
Experienced
$175,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$59,330
25th
$81,660
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$122,670
Mean: $142,960
75th
$175,050
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$59,330 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $81,660 and $175,050
- •Salary spread is 76.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 51,830 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:55,400
Top Industries
Air Transportation48.2%
Nonscheduled Air Transportation39.4%
Educational Services10.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.1%
Annual Openings:6,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)55,400
Current
2034 (Projected)58,300
+5.1%
+2,800
Employment Change
+5.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Commercial Pilots professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Florida
6,100 jobs$130,5301.85x
California
5,530 jobs$122,1000.91x
Texas
5,030 jobs$162,9301.08x
Ohio
3,850 jobs$116,0502.07x
Alaska
1,870 jobs$110,93017.36x
Nevada
1,590 jobs$132,4903.09x
Minnesota
1,540 jobs$117,9601.57x
North Carolina
1,470 jobs$126,7400.89x
Michigan
1,400 jobs$130,5600.95x
Arizona
1,330 jobs$102,2801.24x
Colorado
1,170 jobs$122,7001.20x
Alabama
1,140 jobs$106,8401.62x
Virginia
1,110 jobs$115,4900.81x
New York
1,070 jobs$172,5000.33x
Washington
1,060 jobs$123,5300.89x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Perceptual Speed
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
94%
#5
English Language
92%
#6
Near Vision
92%
#7
Monitoring
86%
#8
Transportation
86%
#9
Problem Sensitivity
82%
#10
Critical Thinking
80%
Skills Overview
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Perceptual Speed
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
English Language
advanced4.6
92%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Transportation
intermediate4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Perceptual Speed
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Transportation
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Geography
intermediateImportance78%
knowledge
3.9/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Locomotive Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers100%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors82%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Transportation
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Mechanical
- →Law and Government
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Transportation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
- ★Transportation
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Commercial Pilots
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Training & Development (3)Planning & Development (5)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Commercial Pilots
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Commercial Pilots professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Commercial Pilots
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.80
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.70
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.66
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.65
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.62
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.61
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Cooperation
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Independence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Commercial Pilots.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Commercial Pilots
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