Photo: Zalasem1 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Job description
Before takeoff, pilots check that the aircraft's engines, controls, and instruments are functioning properly, then factor in variables like airport altitude, temperature, aircraft weight, and wind to calculate the speed needed to get airborne. In flight, they monitor fuel consumption and system performance, use instruments to fly safely when visibility is poor, and may act as either captain or co-pilot depending on the crew and aircraft. This category excludes pilots at regional, national, and international airlines, covering instead charter operators, air ambulance crews, and air tour pilots: work that's highly structured and safety-driven, with real exposure to heights and demanding precision throughout. A Commercial Pilot certificate is required, typically earned through vocational flight training or an associate's degree program.
Pros
- Exceptional upside earning potential, up to $266,620, among the highest ceilings in this batch
- Faster than average projected job growth (5.1%) with a moderate job pool (6,600 positions)
- Achievable with a Commercial Pilot certificate rather than a bachelor's degree
Cons
- Above-average hours, up to 50 per week, often on irregular schedules tied to charters or flights
- Highly structured, precision-critical work where mistakes can have serious safety consequences
- Regular exposure to hazardous conditions and heights, with demanding physical and mental focus during flights
A typical day
The day starts at the hangar an hour before wheels-up: checking weather along the route, computing weight and balance for today's charter load, then walking the aircraft — fuel sumps, control surfaces, oil, every item on the preflight list. The flying itself varies wildly by job: a scenic tour pilot flies the same canyon eight times with different passengers; an air-ambulance pilot waits on standby, then launches in twenty minutes; a charter pilot repositions an empty plane to pick up executives in another state. Between legs come fuel stops, logbook entries, and passenger handling. Weather holds and mechanical delays test patience; judgment about when not to fly is the job's deepest skill.
Tasks at the job
- 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.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens mostly inside a vehicle or piece of equipment, and most of the day is spent sitting at a desk, and you work in close physical proximity to coworkers or the public for much of the shift. Noise levels can be distracting or uncomfortable. The role involves regular exposure to hazardous equipment or conditions and contaminants and working at heights, and standard protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, and similar) is expected.
There's a regular, moderate amount of time pressure, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. Precision and accuracy are essential to the work, and the work is highly structured, following set procedures. Almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Licenses & certifications
- FAA Private Pilot certificate
- Instrument rating
- FAA Commercial Pilot certificate
- FAA medical certificate (second class)
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- AP Physics — aerodynamics, weather, and performance all rest on it
- Precalculus — navigation, fuel, and performance calculations
- Geography — pilots think in charts, airspace, and terrain
- Electronics or Computer Science electives — modern cockpits are glass
- English — radio communication and documentation demand precision
Clubs, activities & competitions
- Civil Air Patrol — cadet orientation flights and aerospace education
- EAA Young Eagles — free introductory flights from volunteer pilots
- Aviation Explorers post or school aviation club
- Flight simulator practice at home — real procedural learning
First steps you can take now
- Book a discovery flight at a local flight school — many cost less than a concert ticket
- Sign up for a free EAA Young Eagles flight if you're under 18
- Start studying for the FAA private pilot written exam with free online materials
- Visit a small airport on a Saturday and talk to pilots at the FBO
