Transportation & Logistics
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Also called: Airbus Captain, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Captain
US median pay
$232,140
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+8.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
11,200
104,600 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do 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.
- Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
- Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control4.9/5
- Operations Monitoring4.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Time Management3.9/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Systems Evaluation3.2/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
Knowledge
- Transportation4.8/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Geography3.7/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree61%
- High school diploma18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.