Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training. Both also must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. PayThe median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025.The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $123,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,400 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025.The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $123,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,400 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,400 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
Work Environment
Pilots usually have variable work schedules, with overnight layovers that are more common for airline pilots.
How to Become an Airline or Commercial Pilot
Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training. Both also must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
Pay
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $123,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,400 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Pilots usually have variable work schedules, with overnight layovers that are more common for airline pilots.
How to Become an Airline or Commercial Pilot
Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training. Both also must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
Pay
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $123,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,400 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for airline and commercial pilots.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of airline and commercial pilots with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about airline and commercial pilots by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.