Commercial Pilots

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Captain
• Commercial Pilot
• Helicopter Pilot
• Pilot

Alternate Job Titles

• Advanced Air Mobility Operator (AAM Operator)
• Advanced Air Mobility Pilot (AAM Pilot)
• Advanced Air Mobility Technician (AAM Technician)
• Aerial Advertiser
• Aerial Crop Duster
• Aerial Hurricane Hunter
• Aerial Sprayer
• Agricultural Pilot
• Air Ambulance Captain
• Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot
• Air Tour Pilot
• Air Transport Pilot
• Airplane Patroller
• Airplane Pilot
• Aviator

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
• Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
• Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
• Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
• Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
• Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
• Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Operate large scale uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for various commercial purposes, such as aerial photography, surveying land and structures, or monitoring wildlife.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Transportation
• Geography
• Public Safety and Security

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Operation and Control
2. Operations Monitoring
3. Monitoring
4. Critical Thinking
5. Active Listening
6. Judgment and Decision Making
7. Reading Comprehension
8. Speaking
9. Active Learning
10. Complex Problem Solving

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Perceptual Speed
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Control Precision
• Oral Comprehension
• Depth Perception
• Far Vision
• Reaction Time
• Selective Attention
• Response Orientation

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Self-Control
• Cautiousness
• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Independence
• Recognition
• Achievement
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Microsoft Office software

Tools & Equipment

• Air conditioning systems
• Air data computers
• Air pressurization systems
• Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS
• Airfield lighting equipment
• Anemometers
• Anti-skid systems
• Autobrakes
• Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems
• Automatic landing systems
• Autopilot systems
• Battery chargers
• Channel lock pliers
• Cockpit displays of traffic information CDTI
• Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Freedom to Make Decisions
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
• Health and Safety of Other Workers
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$59,330
Median	$122,670
Top Earners (90th percentile)	>$239,200

Workers Employed Nationally: 51,830

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.