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Pilot and navigate fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters on nonscheduled air carrier routes, including charter, air ambulance, and air tour flights. Requires a Commercial Pilot certificate; airline pilots flying scheduled routes are a separate occupation.
$58,850
Lower reported wage
$123,220
Median
$266,620
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →FAA pilot certificates, ratings, and medical requirements depend on the operation; a general aviation major alone is not flight authorization. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
Commercial Pilots (53-2012): BLS OEWS May 2025 annual United States median (50th percentile) $123,220. The lower and upper figures are the published 10th and 90th percentiles. They describe the wage distribution, not starting or senior pay. These figures describe commercial pilots, not airline pilots. Wage figures reviewed October 27, 2026. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm . Employment and growth retain their existing source periods and were not refreshed in this wage review.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare aircraft rental, instruction, exams, medical checks, ratings, and the hours needed for your target job.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
Plan, navigate, and operate aircraft while monitoring weather, systems, and passenger or cargo safety. [1]
Commercial pilots fly for charter, rescue, tours, or other services; airline pilots operate scheduled flights. [1]
Schedules vary, and overnight travel is especially common for airline pilots. [1]
Safety decisions, recurrent training, medical fitness, and irregular hours require constant attention. [1]
More flight experience and ratings can open different aircraft or airline roles, subject to employer and FAA rules. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.