Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Job Description
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.
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What Tasks Do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Do?
The core tasks performed by airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers include:
- 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.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Top airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Air Force Pilot
- Airbus Captain
- Aircraft Captain
- Aircraft Pilot
- Airline Captain
- Airline Pilot
- Airline Pilot Flight Instructor
- Airline Transport Pilot
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 1,116,538 airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -1.9% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $58,648 |
| Hourly median | $28.20 |
| 10th percentile | $36,418 |
| 25th percentile | $47,533 |
| 75th percentile | $69,762 |
| 90th percentile | $80,877 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $226,490 |
| Florida | $220,350 |
| Texas | $214,670 |
| Oregon | $214,520 |
| Colorado | $211,860 |
| Arizona | $198,800 |
| Connecticut | $189,630 |
| Minnesota | $184,560 |
| Nevada | $180,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $172,710 |
| Indiana | $171,050 |
| Arkansas | $165,980 |
| South Carolina | $158,290 |
| Maine | $158,190 |
| North Carolina | $154,360 |
| Kansas | $136,510 |
| Alabama | $134,430 |
| New Mexico | $134,110 |
| Utah | $133,230 |
| Iowa | $130,980 |
| Oklahoma | $130,620 |
| Tennessee | $129,620 |
| Missouri | $122,530 |
| Nebraska | $114,480 |
| Wisconsin | $103,400 |
| New Hampshire | $96,970 |
| Louisiana | $94,720 |
| Puerto Rico | $50,720 |
| Montana | $49,800 |
| Wyoming | $46,070 |
Where Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Earn the Most
Pay for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $210,271 | 17.3% | 1.09 |
| Southeast | $189,020 | 16.9% | 1.08 |
| Rocky Mountains | $182,440 | 11.4% | 2.64 |
| New England | $127,580 | 0.1% | 0.10 |
| Plains States | $126,998 | 0.4% | 0.08 |
| Middle Atlantic | $65,911 | 14.8% | 1.05 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $50,720 | 0.2% | 0.18 |
| Far Western US | $47,386 | 24.6% | 1.72 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | FL | $229,930 | 2,080 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $226,490 | 1,540 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | FL | $226,130 | 200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | IA | $222,700 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | SC | $219,280 | |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $214,390 | 4,950 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | CO | $211,860 | 5,540 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | CT | $211,480 | 60 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 93,290 | n/a |
| Educational Services | 560 | n/a |
| Manufacturing | 90 | n/a |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 80 | n/a |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 40 | n/a |
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: R (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers reflects the following characteristics:
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
Education and Training
Most airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Aerospace Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Avionics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (Supplemental)
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants (Primary-Long)
- Commercial Pilots (Primary-Short)
- Air Traffic Controllers (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers commonly pursue programs in:
Transportation and Materials Moving
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 53-2011.00 (Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers).
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