Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
SOC code 53-2011 · O*NET-SOC 53-2011.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Transportation
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$232,140
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$288,650
— per hour
Middle 50%
$182,280 – $384,440
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$106,710 – $463,830
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
103,560
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $106,710
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $182,280
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $232,140
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $384,440
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $463,830
- —/hr
What do airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 61% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree61%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)18%
- Less than a High School Diploma8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6%
Common questions
How much does an airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn?
The national median is $232,140 a year. The full range runs from $106,710 at the 10th percentile to $463,830 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Monitoring4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.8/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Geography3.7/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Physics3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.