Transportation & Logistics career

Airline Pilot

Also called: Airline Captain · First Officer · Copilot · Flight Engineer

What airline pilots do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an airline pilot do?

Airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on scheduled air carrier routes, for transport of passengers and cargo. The median pay is $232,140 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of flight training and hours, and employment is projected to grow +8.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $232,140
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +8.3%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    11,200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Bachelor's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Years of flight training and hours
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    104,600
    Employment, 2025

What airline pilots do

Airline pilots fly scheduled flights. They plan flights, check weather and aircraft, fly with a crew, communicate with air traffic control, handle emergencies and keep passengers and cargo safe. New pilots start as first officers and upgrade to captain.

Airline pilots need an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which usually requires 1,500 flight hours, and most have a bachelor’s degree. Pay is very high, and BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

  • Plan flights
  • Inspect aircraft
  • Fly aircraft
  • Communicate with ATC
  • Monitor systems
  • Handle emergencies
  • Brief crew

Work environment and schedule

Pilots work in cockpits and travel for multiday trips.

Schedule: Irregular schedules with nights away; FAA rest rules apply.

A day in the life

  1. Report to the airport.
  2. Review weather and flight plan.
  3. Do the walkaround.
  4. Brief the crew.

See a full day in the life of an airline pilot →

Airline Pilot salary

Half of airline pilots earned more than $232,140 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $106,710 for the lowest 10% to $463,830 for the top 10%.

Full airline pilot pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an airline pilot

  1. Earn a private pilot certificate
  2. Earn instrument and commercial ratings
  3. Build hours
  4. Earn the ATP
  5. Join an airline

A bachelor’s degree is typical, plus FAA pilot certificates and an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an airline pilot →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Aircraft operation
  • Navigation
  • Weather
  • ATC communication
  • Emergency procedures

People skills

  • Decision-making
  • Calm under pressure
  • Teamwork
  • Discipline

All airline pilot skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very high pay
  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Travel
  • Prestige

Cons

  • Expensive training
  • Time away from home
  • Strict medical requirements
  • Fatigue

Certifications and licenses

  • ATP certificate: Required for airline pilots.
  • First-class medical: Required for captains.
  • Type rating: Aircraft-specific.
  • Instrument and multi-engine ratings: Required steps.

Career path

  1. Flight Instructor: Build hours.
  2. Regional First Officer: Airline entry.
  3. Major Airline First Officer: Advance.
  4. Captain: Pilot in command.

Learn the job before day one

Our Airline Pilot training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build flight hours toward the ATP and prepare for an airline interview, safety and how to land your first job.

View Airline Pilot trainingIs this career right for me?

Commercial Pilot

Fly airplanes and helicopters for charter, cargo, tours, agriculture and more.

  • $123,220
  • 1–2 years of flight training

Air Traffic Controller

Keep aircraft safely separated in the sky and on the ground.

  • $148,080
  • FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job

Flight Attendant

Keep airline passengers safe and comfortable from boarding to arrival.

  • $63,580
  • 3–8 weeks of airline training

Aircraft Mechanic

Inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters to FAA standards.

  • $79,870
  • 18–30 months

Compare: Airline Pilot vs. Commercial Pilot · Airline Pilot vs. Air Traffic Controller · Airline Pilot vs. Flight Attendant · Airline Pilot vs. Aircraft Mechanic

Airline Pilot FAQ

How many hours do airline pilots need?

Usually 1,500 for the ATP, with some reductions for certain programs.

Do airline pilots need a degree?

Most airlines prefer one.

Is pay high?

Yes, BLS reports very high median pay.

How much does an airline pilot make?

The median annual wage for airline pilots was $232,140 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $106,710 and the highest 10% earned more than $463,830.

How long does it take to become an airline pilot?

Most people need about Years of flight training and hours of training. A bachelor’s degree is typical, plus FAA pilot certificates and an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

Do you need a degree to be an airline pilot?

Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, and every airline pilot needs an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which generally requires 1,500 flight hours.

More airline pilot questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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