What is a Commercial Pilot?
Commercial Pilot Job Description Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-winged 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.
Daily Life Of a Commercial Pilot
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain’s duties as required.
- Pilot airplanes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitudes to dust or spray fields with fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides.
- Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.
- Supervise other crew members.
- Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
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Qualities of a Commercial Pilot
These are the skills Commercial Pilots say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Commercial Pilot
- Aerial Crop Duster
- Pilot
- Aerial Hurricane Hunter
- EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot)
- Helicopter Pilot
Commercial Pilot Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 40,800 jobs in the United States for Commercial Pilot. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,500 new jobs for Commercial Pilot by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Commercial Pilot are Tennessee, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, Massachusetts, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Commercial Pilot Average Salary
The salary for Commercial Pilots ranges between about $44,660 and $160,480 a year.
Commercial Pilots who work in South Carolina, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Commercial Pilots make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $91,100 |
| Alaska | $91,850 |
| Arizona | $80,000 |
| Arkansas | $78,310 |
| California | $97,720 |
| Colorado | $91,930 |
| Connecticut | $127,950 |
| Delaware | $97,420 |
| Florida | $110,540 |
| Georgia | $130,760 |
| Hawaii | $102,350 |
| Idaho | $76,310 |
| Illinois | $99,990 |
| Indiana | $75,790 |
| Iowa | $92,090 |
| Kansas | $96,370 |
| Kentucky | $106,470 |
| Louisiana | $85,440 |
| Maine | $58,540 |
| Maryland | $110,240 |
| Massachusetts | $97,740 |
| Michigan | $93,640 |
| Minnesota | $106,300 |
| Mississippi | $103,000 |
| Missouri | $93,420 |
| Montana | $82,290 |
| Nebraska | $79,700 |
| Nevada | $102,590 |
| New Hampshire | $66,240 |
| New Jersey | $93,440 |
| New Mexico | $99,400 |
| New York | $127,590 |
| North Carolina | $82,060 |
| North Dakota | $82,880 |
| Ohio | $88,830 |
| Oklahoma | $80,300 |
| Oregon | $70,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,030 |
| South Carolina | $106,170 |
| South Dakota | $63,090 |
| Tennessee | $72,300 |
| Texas | $104,680 |
| Utah | $77,550 |
| Vermont | $84,610 |
| Washington | $106,360 |
| West Virginia | $75,890 |
| Wisconsin | $80,520 |
| Wyoming | $77,970 |
What Tools & Technology do Commercial Pilots Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Commercial Pilots:
- Microsoft Office
- SBS International Maestro Suite
- RMS Technology Flitesoft
- Electronic aircraft information databases
- MJICCS PilotLog
- Nimblefeet Technologies Captain’s Keeper
- Polaris Microsystems AeroLog Pro
- Polaris Microsystems CharterLog
- AirSmith FlightPrompt
- Skylog Services Skylog Pro
- doXstor Flight Level Logbook
- AeroPlanner
- Notam Development Group Airport Insight
- Standard generalized markup language SGML
- Navzilla
- Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance
- Flight simulation software
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Are there Commercial Pilots education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Commercial Pilot?
Where Commercial Pilots Are Employed
Commercial Pilots work in the following industries:
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References:
Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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