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Transportation53-2012.00Specialization

Commercial Pilots

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

$113,080
Median Pay
6 months to 2 years
Training
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Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: low AI task exposure, limited human advantage means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

24% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+5% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 10/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
  • Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
  • Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Post-secondary certificate

Time to Job Ready

1-3 years

Based on Job Zone 3. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Flight management systemsNavigation softwareWeather systemsElectronic flight bagsFlight planning tools

Key Abilities

Problem SensitivityPerceptual SpeedControl PrecisionNear VisionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingSelective Attention

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Find jobs and training programs for commercial pilots- Median salary: $113K/year

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Compensation Details

$56,260
10th Percentile
$113,080
Median
N/A
90th Percentile

Based on 52,750 employed workers

Also Known As

Advanced Air Mobility Operator (AAM Operator)Advanced Air Mobility Pilot (AAM Pilot)Advanced Air Mobility Technician (AAM Technician)Aerial AdvertiserAerial Crop DusterAerial Hurricane HunterAerial SprayerAgricultural PilotAir Ambulance CaptainAir Ambulance Helicopter Pilot

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 53-2012.00