Work Environment
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers held about 74,700 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were as follows:
- Scheduled air transportation - 84%
- Federal government, excluding postal service - 4%
- Support activities for transportation - 2%
- Nonscheduled air transportation - 2%
Commercial pilots held about 39,200 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of commercial pilots were as follows:
- Nonscheduled air transportation - 30%
- Technical and trade schools; private - 13%
- Support activities for air transportation - 11%
- Ambulance services - 10%
- Manufacturing - 3%
Pilots assigned to long-distance routes may experience fatigue and jetlag. Weather conditions may result in turbulence, requiring pilots to change the flying altitude. Flights can be long and flight decks are often sealed, so pilots work in small teams for long periods in close proximity to one another.
Aerial applicators, also known as crop dusters, may be exposed to toxic chemicals, typically use unimproved landing strips, such as grass, dirt, or gravel surface, and may be at risk of collision with power lines. Helicopter pilots involved in rescue operations may fly at low levels during bad weather or at night, and land in areas surrounded by power lines, highways, and other obstacles. Pilots use hearing protection devices to prevent their exposure to engine noise.
The high level of concentration required to fly an aircraft and the mental stress of being responsible for the safety of passengers can be fatiguing. Pilots must be alert and quick to react if something goes wrong. Federal law requires pilots to retire at age 65.
Most pilots are based near large airports.
Injuries and Illnesses
Although fatalities are uncommon, commercial pilots experience one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities of all occupations.
Work Schedules
Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off. Flight assignments are based on seniority. Seniority enables pilots who have worked at a company for a long time to get preferred routes and schedules.
Airline pilots may spend several nights a week away from home because flight assignments often involve overnight layovers. When pilots are away from home, the airlines typically provide hotel accommodations, transportation to the airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses.
Commercial pilots also may have irregular schedules. Although most commercial pilots remain near their home overnight, some may still work nonstandard hours.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 14,500 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Employment of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. Much of this projected employment growth is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession that began in 2020. Sharp declines in business and leisure travel impacted employment of these workers during the pandemic; however, demand for air travel is expected to be strong in the years ahead.
Employment of commercial pilots is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. The number of commercial pilots is projected to increase in various industries, including ambulance services, where these workers will be needed to transfer patients to healthcare facilities by air.
Earnings
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $202,180 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $100,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $99,640 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $205,940.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Scheduled air transportation - $207,200
- Federal government, excluding postal service - $113,630
- Nonscheduled air transportation - $108,830
- Support activities for transportation - $103,480
In May 2021, the median annual wages for commercial pilots in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Manufacturing - $113,040
- Nonscheduled air transportation - $104,770
- Support activities for air transportation - $101,930
- Technical and trade schools; private - $84,050
- Ambulance services - $81,500
Airline pilots usually begin their careers as first officers and receive wage increases as they accumulate experience and seniority.
In addition, airline pilots receive an expense allowance, or “per diem,” for every hour they are away from home, and they may earn extra pay for international flights. Airline pilots and their immediate families usually are entitled to free or reduced-fare flights.
Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include several days of work followed by some days off.
Airline pilots may spend several nights a week away from home because flight assignments often involve overnight layovers. When pilots are away from home, the airlines typically provide hotel accommodations, transportation to the airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses.
Commercial pilots also may have irregular schedules. Although most commercial pilots remain near their home overnight, they may still work nonstandard hours.
