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Employment Percentage
2.827004219
SOC ID
53-2012
SOC Title
Commercial Pilots
ONET ID
53-2012.00
ONET Concat ID
53201200
Median Salary
125768.07
Ed Level High School
23
Ed Level Certificate
25.299999
Ed Level Some College
2.29
Ed Level Associates
17.049999
Ed Level Bachelors
28.299999
Ed Level Masters
4.06
Ed Level Doctors
0
Typical Ed Level
a Bachelor's degree
Career Description
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.
Core Tasks
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
  • Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
  • Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
  • Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Supervise other crew members.
  • Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.
Start Annual Earnings
56053.25
Top Annual Earnings
210069.32
EMSI Career Title Slug
commercial-pilot