Commercial Pilots
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$123,220/yr
Typical range
$84,540 – $190,440
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Commercial Pilots does
You fly smaller aircraft for various purposes such as charter services, crop dusting, aerial photography, or cargo transport. This career offers diverse flying opportunities while requiring FAA certification and specialized skills for different aircraft types.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers — $40,240/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/yr
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