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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $232,140 Median per year Most earn $106,710–$463,830

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.

Job outlook

United States
8% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 11,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Scheduled air transportation87.9%
  • Couriers and express delivery services5.3%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service2.8%
  • Support activities for air transportation2.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

On-siteExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Airline pilot is not usually an entry-level job. Most people build about 2 to 4 years of flying experience first, often after a bachelor's degree, before they fly for an airline.

  1. Bachelor's degree (aviation or another major)

    4 years

    Earn a degree while starting flight training, since airlines typically expect a bachelor's degree. Your flight training builds the hours and ratings you need to keep moving forward.

  2. Commercial Pilot

    2-4 years

    Work as a commercial pilot, for example as a flight instructor, on-demand charter pilot, or pilot for a cargo or regional operator. This builds the flight hours and experience airlines look for and prepares you for airline-level flying.

  3. Airline Pilot (First Officer / Copilot)

    Ongoing

    Fly for a passenger or cargo airline, usually starting as a first officer (copilot) after earning an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and the rating for the aircraft you will fly.

Where it can lead

  1. Captain

    Several years as a first officer of experience first

    After enough time as a first officer and further training, you can be promoted to captain, who is in command of the aircraft and its crew.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsStrong math and physics skills support navigation, weather, and aerodynamics, which all appear in pilot training.
  • Join an aviation or model aircraft clubClubs like these let you learn about flying, meet pilots, and build teamwork and technical skills.
  • Visit a local airport or take an introductory flightSeeing how an airport runs and flying in a small plane helps you decide whether this career fits you.
  • Get a starter job that teaches responsibilityPart-time work, such as a customer service or cashier job, builds reliability and communication skills and helps you save for flight training.
  • Practice clear communicationJoin a debate, speech, or public speaking class, since pilots must give clear instructions and reports under pressure.

In college

  • Choose an aviation or related majorA degree in aviation, aerospace, or another field gives you the bachelor's degree most airlines expect and a structured path to flight training.
  • Start flight training while you studyWorking toward your pilot certificates early builds the flight hours and ratings you need before you can fly professionally.
  • Join a campus aviation or flying clubClubs offer hands-on experience, networking with pilots, and sometimes lower-cost flying time with other members.
  • Look for a campus job or internship at an airport or airlineRoles like airport operations, ground crew, or customer service show you how airlines work and build your professional network.
  • Build a record of solid grades and safety-minded habitsAirlines review your academic record and your flight log, so careful study and disciplined training habits matter.

Tips for getting started

  • Look into an aviation program or flight training at a local airport early, and ask a working pilot about their path. Their advice on hours and certificates is worth more than guesses.
  • Keep your grades strong in math and physics. Pilots need them for navigation, weather, and aircraft systems, and many college programs require them.
  • Plan your money early. Flight training is expensive, so look at part-time jobs, scholarships, and ways to earn flight hours while you study.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Air Transportation Bachelor's degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $54,072 a year · typical debt $21,136

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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