Careers · Explore one path
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
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.
Other titles employers use
Airbus Captain · Airline Captain · Airline Pilot · Captain · Check Airman · Co-Pilot · Commercial Airline Pilot · First Officer (FO)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and persuading work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Geography
Useful strengths
- Response Orientation
- Problem Sensitivity
- Control Precision
- Reaction Time
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 1.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.6 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 61%
- High school or less 26%
- A certificate or some college 7%
- A two-year degree 6%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Process mapping and design software
- Word processing software
- Data base user interface and query software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 10,800
- Job openings each year
- 1,270
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 10,800 | 1,270 | 14.3% |
| California | 10,100 | 1,190 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 7,760 | 910 | 14.0% |
| Colorado | 7,380 | 930 | 46.4% |
| New York | 7,150 | 0 | −2.2% |
| Illinois | 6,530 | 740 | 2.4% |
| New Jersey | 3,810 | 430 | 4.4% |
| Washington | 3,340 | 450 | 16.8% |
| Virginia | 3,140 | 360 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 2,550 | 300 | 15.4% |
| Alaska | 2,310 | 270 | 6.0% |
| Arizona | 2,260 | 260 | 2.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,820 | 210 | 3.4% |
| Nevada | 1,510 | 170 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 1,350 | 160 | 11.6% |
| Oregon | 1,050 | 130 | 20.7% |
| Ohio | 750 | 80 | −2.6% |
| Massachusetts | 480 | 60 | 11.6% |
| Alabama | 290 | 30 | — |
| Tennessee | 280 | 30 | 7.7% |
| Oklahoma | 230 | 30 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Mississippi | 180 | 20 | — |
| Wisconsin | 180 | 20 | 28.6% |
| Guam | 170 | 20 | — |
| Connecticut | 160 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Arkansas | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Louisiana | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Idaho | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Kansas | 110 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Montana | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| South Carolina | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Iowa | 90 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 70 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 70 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 50 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 40 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 20 | 0 | — |
| Rhode Island | 20 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Degrees each year
- 586
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 484
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
University of North Dakota
- Degrees each year
- 337
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Middle Tennessee State University
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Western Michigan University
- Degrees each year
- 207
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 171
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 140
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 131
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000