Air Transportation Workers

How to become a Commercial Pilot

Official title: Commercial Pilots

Also called: Captain, Charter Pilot, Check Airman, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Pilot, EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot), First Officer, Helicopter Pilot, Line Pilot, Pilot

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.

Main tasks

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.

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: Postsecondary nondegree award

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

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Air Transport Pilot.
Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew; Flight Instructor
Licence: A licence is required in 16 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $123,220 a year The middle half earn $84,540 to $190,440.
About 50,400 people work in this job now, and about 53,000 are projected by 2035. (+5.2%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Commercial Pilot?

How much does a Commercial Pilot earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $123,220 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $84,540 to $190,440.

Is a Commercial Pilot a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 50,400 to about 53,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Commercial Pilot?

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

Will AI change the work of a Commercial Pilot?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

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.