Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

People in this career primarily pilot and navigate fixed-wing aircraft on scheduled routes for regional, national, and international airlines. The daily work centers on operating vehicles and controlling machines, which requires strong skills in operation and control, operations monitoring, and critical thinking. Pilots must inspect their equipment, monitor their surroundings, identify objects or events, and process complex information to make quick decisions and solve problems. They must also evaluate flight information to ensure compliance with safety standards.

This profession attracts individuals with realistic interests who enjoy hands-on, practical work. Success in this role requires deep knowledge of transportation systems, public safety, geography, physics, and mathematics. Because they are responsible for lives and cargo, pilots must demonstrate work styles such as extreme cautiousness, attention to detail, dependability, and self-control. They must maintain high stress tolerance and self-confidence while communicating clearly through active listening and speaking.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree, making it a Job Zone 4 occupation that demands considerable preparation. Most aspiring pilots pursue a college major in air transportation. In addition to a degree, individuals usually need several years of related experience to qualify for these positions.

To operate commercial aircraft, pilots must obtain a Federal Air Transport certificate along with a specific rating for the type of aircraft they will fly. Depending on where they work, some states also list specific licensing requirements for this profession. Some professionals gain their initial flight experience and training through military service, working in roles such as Air Force, Army helicopter, or general aircraft pilots before transitioning to commercial airlines.

The median annual pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $232,140. Earnings vary significantly based on experience and the airline, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $106,710 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $463,830.

There are 103,560 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 8.3 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with retirements and career transitions, is expected to generate 11,200 job openings each year.