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Airline Pilot
O*NET-SOC: 53-2011.00
Transportation
Pilots and navigates large commercial aircraft to transport passengers and cargo, managing flight operations, communicating with air traffic control, and ensuring passenger safety.
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$149K
Median Salary
+6%
Growing
Bachelor's Degree
Min. Education
Demanding
Work-Life Balance
About This Role
Airline pilots fly large commercial aircraft carrying passengers and cargo between cities. Their work begins well before takeoff, with a detailed review of the flight plan, weather conditions, fuel calculations, and any notices about airspace closures or runway changes. They then conduct a physical walk-around inspection of the aircraft, checking tires, engines, and control surfaces before entering the cockpit to power up instruments and run through a standardized checklist with the first officer. Communication with air traffic control is constant throughout the flight, from requesting taxi clearance to reporting altitude changes during cruise.
A Day in the Life
5:00 AM
Check in and review briefing
Arrive at the airport operations center, review the flight plan, weather forecasts, and any notices about airspace restrictions or airport conditions.
6:00 AM
Preflight inspection
Walk around the aircraft checking tires, engines, control surfaces, and fluid levels for anything unusual before boarding.
6:45 AM
Cockpit setup and checklists
Power up instruments and navigation systems, run through the pre-departure checklist with the first officer, and make the passenger announcement.
7:30 AM
Takeoff and climb
Receive clearance from air traffic control, execute the takeoff, and monitor instruments during the climb to cruising altitude.
9:00 AM
Cruise monitoring
Engage the autopilot, adjust the flight path for wind conditions, and coordinate with cabin crew on service timing and any passenger issues.
11:00 AM
Prepare for descent
Brief the first officer on the approach plan, review weather at the destination, and begin configuring the aircraft for landing.
11:45 AM
Landing and taxi
Fly the approach, land, and taxi to the gate. Shut down engines and systems in sequence.
12:30 PM
Post-flight debrief
Log flight hours and any mechanical notes, debrief with the crew, and head to the hotel for required rest before the next leg.
Tools & Technologies
- Programming Languages
- R
- Document Object Model DOM Scripting
- Spreadsheets
- Microsoft Excel
- Office Suites
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Presentations
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Process & Diagramming
- Microsoft Visio
Salary by State
Airline Pilot salary by state map
Airline Pilot salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range Alaska $226K — Florida $220K — Texas $215K — Oregon $215K — Colorado $212K — Arizona $199K — Connecticut $190K — Minnesota $185K — Nevada $181K — Pennsylvania $173K — Indiana $171K — Arkansas $166K $113K - $167K South Carolina $158K $94K - $221K Maine $158K — North Carolina $154K $97K - $208K Kansas $137K $87K - $184K Alabama $134K $103K - $167K New Mexico $134K — Utah $133K — Iowa $131K — Oklahoma $131K $111K - $174K Tennessee $130K $88K - $172K Missouri $123K — Nebraska $114K $85K - $234K Wisconsin $103K $34K - $144K New Hampshire $97K $73K - $190K Louisiana $95K — Montana $50K $39K - $96K Wyoming $46K $42K - $117K
Airline Pilot salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range Alaska $226K — Florida $220K — Texas $215K — Oregon $215K — Colorado $212K — Arizona $199K — Connecticut $190K — Minnesota $185K — Nevada $181K — Pennsylvania $173K — Indiana $171K — Arkansas $166K $113K - $167K South Carolina $158K $94K - $221K Maine $158K — North Carolina $154K $97K - $208K Kansas $137K $87K - $184K Alabama $134K $103K - $167K New Mexico $134K — Utah $133K — Iowa $131K — Oklahoma $131K $111K - $174K Tennessee $130K $88K - $172K Missouri $123K — Nebraska $114K $85K - $234K Wisconsin $103K $34K - $144K New Hampshire $97K $73K - $190K Louisiana $95K — Montana $50K $39K - $96K Wyoming $46K $42K - $117K
Lower ($46K-$136K)Middle (~$136K)Higher ($136K-$226K)
Highest Paying States
- 1.Alaska$226K
- 2.Florida$220K
- 3.Texas$215K
- 4.Oregon$215K
- 5.Colorado$212K
- 1.Wyoming$46K
- 2.Montana$50K
- 3.Louisiana$95K
- 4.New Hampshire$97K
- 5.Wisconsin$103K
Essential
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
FAA
Certification
Highest pilot certification required for commercial airline operations, including multi-engine and instrument ratings.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
FAA
Certification
Prerequisite for ATP; authorizes complex aircraft operations and instrument flight.
Recommended
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
FAA
Certification
Enables training other pilots; valuable for building flight hours early in career.
Helpful
Airline Captain Leadership Course
Major airlines
Course
Focuses on command decision-making, crew resource management, and regulatory compliance.
Professional Memberships
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Membership
National Business Aviation Association
Membership
Provides networking, safety resources, and professional development for pilots.
Work Environment
Remote Work On-site Only
Work Setting Primarily outdoor / field work
Physical Activity Mostly sedentary
Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction
Schedule Extended hours common
Your Skills & Attributes
Skills & Competencies Matches (44)
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Time Management
- Speaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airline Pilot a good career?
Airline Pilot can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $149K and job outlook is growing (6% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.
What degree do you need to become a Airline Pilot?
The typical education requirement for a Airline Pilot is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.
How long does it take to become a Airline Pilot?
Becoming a Airline Pilot typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.
What is the work-life balance like for a Airline Pilot?
The work-life balance for a Airline Pilot is demanding, often requiring long hours, irregular schedules, or high-pressure situations. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.
What is the job outlook for Airline Pilot?
The job outlook for Airline Pilot is growing. Employment is projected to grow by 6% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.
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