The median pay for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is $232,140 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 8.3% through 2035, with about 11,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 53-2011
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Airline Pilot in four numbers
- Median pay
- $232,140a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $107KTop 10% $464K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +8.3%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+8.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +8.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 11,200104,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025104.6K
- Projected 2035113.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 104.6K Projected 2035 113.3K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school8%
- High school18.2%
- Certificate5.1%
- Some college1.5%
- Associate's6.3%
- Bachelor's61%
Highest education held by airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers Segment Value Less than high school 8% High school 18.2% Certificate 5.1% Some college 1.5% Associate's 6.3% Bachelor's 61%
Also advertised as: Airbus Captain, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Captain, Check Airman, Co-Pilot.
Pay
How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make?
Every airline pilot in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$232,140
Middle half earn $182,280 to $384,440
- 10th
- $106,710
- 25th
- $182,280
- 75th
- $384,440
- 90th
- $463,830
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $106,710 |
| 25th | $182,280 |
| Median | $232,140 |
| 75th | $384,440 |
| 90th | $463,830 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $232,140
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $288,650
- People employed
- 103,560
Versus all US occupations
At $232,140, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn 355% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $181,160 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 269% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $463,830 or more while the bottom 10% earn $106,710, a gap of 4.3×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 97% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Georgia pays the most at $618,090, and still leads at $641,885 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Georgia | $618,090 | $641,885 | 8,770 |
| 2Idaho | $507,640 | $531,594 | 330 |
| 3Michigan | $428,570 | $445,420 | N/A |
| 4California | $353,900 | $319,635 | 10,670 |
| 5Kentucky | $350,950 | $389,257 | 6,260 |
| 6Colorado | $307,490 | $298,383 | 5,830 |
| 7Illinois | $293,490 | $293,613 | 6,460 |
| 8New York | $255,240 | $236,506 | 6,900 |
| 9Alaska | $232,140 | $226,790 | 1,350 |
| 10Washington | $229,900 | $214,834 | 3,450 |
Job outlook
Is Airline Pilot a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +8.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | +8.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers to change 8.3% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.4× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 8,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 11,200 openings are projected each year, 10.7% of the 104,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued demand for private chartered flights is expected to sustain job growth for commercial pilots.
Getting in
How to become an Airline Pilot
Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training, and some employers may require or prefer them to have a degree.
Airline and commercial pilots also must have specific certificates and ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree61%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)18.2%
- Less than a High School Diploma8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 61% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 18.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 6.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Airline Pilot do?
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.
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
Day-to-day tasks
- Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
- Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off. Flight assignments are based on seniority. Seniority enables pilots who have worked at a company for a long time to get preferred routes and schedules.
Airline pilots may spend several nights a week away from home because flight assignments often involve overnight layovers. When pilots are away from home, the airlines typically provide hotel accommodations, transportation to the airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Scheduled air transportation88%
- Couriers and express delivery services5%
- Federal government, excluding postal service3%
- Support activities for transportation2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scheduled air transportation | 88% |
| Couriers and express delivery services | 5% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 3% |
| Support activities for transportation | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Monitoring4.1
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Speaking3.8
- Active Learning3.8
- Writing3.1
- Mathematics3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Monitoring | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control4.9
- Operations Monitoring4.6
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Time Management3.9
- Coordination3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Systems Analysis3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Time Management | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Route navigation software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Airline Pilot?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Airline Pilot |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic4.7
- Conventional4.7
- Enterprising3.8
- Investigative3.1
- Social2.5
- Artistic1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Airline Pilot
O*NET related occupations
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels
$92,460median a year
Most earn $47K to $171K
+4.0%Certificate - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- First-Line Supervisor of Passenger Attendants · $62,840 median
More transportation and material moving careers
Median annual pay, with airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$46,420
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within airline pilot
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Airline Pilot: frequently asked questions
How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make?
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn a median of $232,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 355% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $182,280 and $384,440. The top 10% earn $463,830 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Airline Pilot?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Airline Pilot a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.3% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 11,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Airline Pilot do?
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. A core O*NET task: use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Object or component oriented development software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are Georgia ($618,090), Idaho ($507,640), Michigan ($428,570) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Airline Pilot?
O*NET scores Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.