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.
Overview
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$73,602
25th
$98,136
50th (Median)
$122,670
75th
$147,204
90th
$184,005
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
Job Market Intelligence
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:55,400
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
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
Top Skills
✓
Operation and Control
Operation and Control
✓
Operations Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
✓
Monitoring
Monitoring
✓
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
✓
Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making
✓
Speaking
Speaking
✓
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
✓
Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving
✓
Active Learning
Active Learning
Key Knowledge Areas
✓
Customer and Personal Service
✓
English Language
✓
Transportation
✓
Geography
✓
Public Safety and Security
✓
Mechanical
✓
Law and Government
✓
Computers and Electronics
✓
Physics
Education & Training
Education Required
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Experience Required
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Job Training
Training of more than one year