Commercial Pilots
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $123,220/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +5.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 6,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
What's the median pay for Commercial Pilots?
The median pay for Commercial Pilots is $123,220 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Commercial Pilots?
Employment for Commercial Pilots is projected to change +5.1% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Commercial Pilots?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Commercial Pilots?
About 6,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.