All About Commercial Pilots
Commercial Pilot Definition 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.
A Day in the Life of a Commercial Pilot
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Check the flight performance of new and experimental planes.
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
- File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
Commercial Pilot Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Commercial Pilots say are important on the job.
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.
Other Commercial Pilot Job Titles
- Flight Instructor (Commercial Pilots)
- Balloon Pilot
- Helicopter Pilot
- Chief Pilot
- Flyer
Commercial Pilot Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 40,800 jobs in the United States for Commercial Pilots.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Commercial Pilots by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,000 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Commercial Pilots are Texas, Florida, and California.
Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, Massachusetts, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Commercial Pilot Make?
Commercial Pilots Make between $44,660 and $160,480 a year. The median salary is $82,240.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Georgia |
$130,760 |
|
Connecticut |
$127,950 |
|
New York |
$127,590 |
|
Florida |
$110,540 |
|
Maryland |
$110,240 |
|
Kentucky |
$106,470 |
|
Washington |
$106,360 |
|
Minnesota |
$106,300 |
|
South Carolina |
$106,170 |
|
Texas |
$104,680 |
|
Mississippi |
$103,000 |
|
Nevada |
$102,590 |
|
Hawaii |
$102,350 |
|
Illinois |
$99,990 |
|
New Mexico |
$99,400 |
|
Massachusetts |
$97,740 |
|
California |
$97,720 |
|
Delaware |
$97,420 |
|
Kansas |
$96,370 |
|
Michigan |
$93,640 |
|
New Jersey |
$93,440 |
|
Missouri |
$93,420 |
|
Iowa |
$92,090 |
|
Colorado |
$91,930 |
|
Alaska |
$91,850 |
|
Alabama |
$91,100 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$89,030 |
|
Ohio |
$88,830 |
|
Louisiana |
$85,440 |
|
Vermont |
$84,610 |
|
North Dakota |
$82,880 |
|
Montana |
$82,290 |
|
North Carolina |
$82,060 |
|
Wisconsin |
$80,520 |
|
Oklahoma |
$80,300 |
|
Arizona |
$80,000 |
|
Nebraska |
$79,700 |
|
Arkansas |
$78,310 |
|
Wyoming |
$77,970 |
|
Utah |
$77,550 |
|
Idaho |
$76,310 |
|
West Virginia |
$75,890 |
|
Indiana |
$75,790 |
|
Tennessee |
$72,300 |
|
Oregon |
$70,900 |
|
New Hampshire |
$66,240 |
|
South Dakota |
$63,090 |
|
Maine |
$58,540 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Commercial Pilots
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Commercial Pilots:
- Microsoft Office
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Learn what Commercial Pilot education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Commercial Pilots Work
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming Commercial Pilots might also be interested in the following careers:
- Ship and Boat Captains
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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