Air Transportation Workers

How to become an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer

Official title: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Also called: Airbus Captain, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Captain, Check Airman, Co-Pilot, Commercial Airline Pilot, First Officer (FO), Line Pilot, Pilot

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.

Main tasks

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.

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 14 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $232,140 a year The middle half earn $182,280 to $384,440.
About 104,600 people work in this job now, and about 113,300 are projected by 2035. (+8.3%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer?

How much does an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $232,140 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $182,280 to $384,440.

Is an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 104,600 to about 113,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer?

Usually. 75% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Airline Pilot, Copilot or Flight Engineer?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.