Commercial Pilots
Tasks Include:
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- 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.
- Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
- Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
- Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
more »
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: +12.9%
National: +5.0%
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone:
Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$103,910.00
State
$127,390.00
Regional
Commercial Pilots
Description
Career Cluster: | Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics |
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Education
Required Level of Education
- Bachelor's Degree = 28.30%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 25.30%
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 23%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 17.05%
- Master's Degree = 2.67%
- Some College Courses = 2.29%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. = 1.39%
Related Work Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 51.36%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 19.77%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 8.24%
- Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 7.33%
- Over 10 years = 7.17%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 6.13%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Up to and including 1 month = 29.53%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 26.07%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 16.18%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 15.02%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 10.95%
- Over 10 years = 2.25%
On-the-Job Training
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 36.70%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 30.26%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 15.28%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 7.39%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 6.94%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 2.27%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 1.16%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- 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.
- Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
- Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
- Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
- Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
- 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.
- Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
- File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
- Supervise other crew members.
- Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots.
- Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations.
- Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
- Rescue and evacuate injured persons.
- Perform minor aircraft maintenance and repair work, or arrange for major maintenance.
- Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
- Pilot airplanes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitudes to dust or spray fields with fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides.
- Check the flight performance of new and experimental planes.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Aircraft environment regulators (Air conditioning systems)
- Flight computer systems (Air data computers)
- Aircraft environment controllers (Air pressurization systems)
- Aircraft warning systems (Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS)
- Aircraft anti skid controls (Anti-skid systems)
- Aircraft braking systems (Autobrakes)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems)
- Aircraft steering controls (Automatic landing systems)
- Flight computer systems (Autopilot systems)
- Calculators or accessories (Calculators)
- Locking pliers (Channel lock pliers)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Cockpit displays of traffic information CDTI)
- Aircraft oxygen equipment (Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems)
- Aircraft deicing equipment (De-icing equipment)
- Desktop computers
- Aircraft communication systems (Digital communications display units DCDU)
- Multimeters (Digital multimeters)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Distance measuring equipment DME)
- Aircraft hydraulic systems (Electro-hydraulic control systems)
- Aerospace cockpit display panels (Electronic flight instrument systems EFIS)
- Aircraft escape or ejection systems (Emergency exit slides)
- Aircraft escape or ejection systems (Emergency life rafts)
- Aircraft environment controllers (Emergency pressurization systems)
- Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems (Engine anti-icing equipment)
- Aircraft warning systems (Engine fire detection systems)
- Aircraft fire control or extinguishing systems (Engine fire extinguishing systems)
- Aircraft warning systems (Engine indicating and crew alerting systems EICAS)
- Aircraft cooling fans (Equipment cooling controls)
- Aircraft fire control or extinguishing systems (Fire suppression and control systems)
- Flight computer systems (Flight director FD systems)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Flight management systems FMS)
- Aircraft flight simulators or trainers (Flight simulators)
- Aircraft fuel management systems (Fuel control systems)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Global positioning system GPS devices)
- Aircraft warning systems (Ground proximity warning systems GPWS)
- Aerospace head up display HUDs (Head-up guidance systems HGS)
- Aircraft communication systems (High frequency HF radio communication systems)
- Landing gear assemblies (Hydraulic landing gear systems)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Inertial navigation systems INS)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Instrument landing system ILS localizers)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Instrument landing system ILS receivers)
- Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Local area augmentation system LAAS receivers)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Long range navigation systems LRNS)
- Aircraft steering controls (Mechanical nose wheel steering systems)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Microwave landing system MLS receivers)
- Fire extinguishers (Multipurpose fire extinguishers)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Navigation mode selectors)
- Aircraft navigation beacons (Nondirectional radio beacon markers)
- Adjustable widemouth pliers (Oil filter pliers)
- Specialty wrenches (Oil filter wrenches)
- Aircraft communication systems (On-board intercom systems)
- Aircraft oxygen equipment (Passenger oxygen control systems)
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers (Personal digital assistants PDA)
- Plotter printers (Plotters)
- Aircraft braking systems (Pneumatic emergency brake systems)
- Aircraft warning systems (Portable collision avoidance systems PCAS)
- Aircraft braking systems (Power brake systems)
- Aircraft power supply units (Power generation and distribution control systems)
- Aircraft environment controllers (Recirculation control systems)
- Flight computer systems (Stability augmentation systems SAS)
- Aircraft warning systems (Traffic alert and collision avoidance system TCAS)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Transponder landing systems TLS)
- Aircraft communication systems (Ultra high frequency UHF radio communication systems)
- Aircraft guidance systems (Very high frequency omnidirectional range VOR systems)
- Aircraft communication systems (Very high frequency VHF radio communication systems)
- Locking pliers (Vise grip pliers)
- Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems (Windscreen ice control systems)
- Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems (Wing anti-ice systems)
- Aircraft steering controls (Yaw damper systems)
Technologies Include:
- Analytical or scientific software
- Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance
- Calendar and scheduling software
- SBS International Maestro Suite
- Data base user interface and query software
- Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Logs PPC
- AirSmith FlightPrompt
- AV8 software
- doXstor Flight Level Logbook
- Electronic aircraft information databases
- MJICCS PilotLog
- Nimblefeet Technologies Captain's Keeper
- Polaris Microsystems AeroLog Pro
- Polaris Microsystems CharterLog
- RMS Technology Flitesoft
- Skylog Services Skylog Pro
- Flight control software
- Flight simulation software
- Information retrieval or search software
- AeroPlanner
- Notam Development Group Airport Insight
- Route navigation software
- Navzilla
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Special Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Airplane Pilots must have a FAA License. In addition there are several rating scales or levels that a pilot must go through to obtain an Airline Transport Rating (ATP). These levels require individuals to log a certain number of flight hours and to pass a written and flight exam.
Requirements to take flying lessons and receive a Student Pilot’s certificate:
The Student Pilot’s Certificate gives someone a license to fly alone.
Educational Requirements:
Most pilots traditionally have learned to fly in the military, but growing numbers have college degrees with flight training from civilian flying schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Physical Requirements:
Applicants must pass a strict physical examination to make sure that they are in good health and have 20/20 vision with or without glasses, good hearing, and no physical handicaps that could impair their performance.
Testing:
A written test must be passed that includes questions on the principles of safe flight, navigation techniques, and FAA regulations, and must demonstrate their flying ability to FAA or designated examiners.
To fly during periods of low visibility, pilots must be rated by the FAA to fly by instruments. Pilots may qualify for this rating by having 105 hours of flight experience, including 40 hours of experience in flying by instruments; they also must pass a written examination on procedures and FAA regulations covering instrument flying and demonstrate to an examiner their ability to fly by instruments.
- Additional Requirements for Airline pilots
1. Pilots must have an airline transport pilot’s license.
2. Applicants for this license must be at least 23 years old and have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience, including night and instrument flying, and;
3. Must pass FAA written and flight examinations.
Usually, they also have one or more advanced ratings, such as multiengine aircraft or aircraft - type ratings, dependent upon the requirements of their particular flying jobs. Because pilots must be able to make quick decisions and accurate judgments under pressure, many airline companies reject applicants who do not pass required psychological and aptitude tests. All licenses are valid as long as a pilot can pass the periodic physical and eye examinations and tests of flying skills required by Federal Government and company regulations.
TRAINING:
Initial training for airline pilots includes:
1. A week of company indoctrination,
2. 3 to 6 weeks of ground school and simulator training,
3. 25 hours of initial operating experience, including a check - ride with an FAA aviation safety inspector.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Once trained and on the line, pilots are required to attend recurrent training and simulator checks twice a year throughout their career.
Organizations other than airlines usually require less flying experience. However, a commercial pilot’s license is a minimum requirement, and employers prefer applicants who have experience in the type of craft they will be flying. New employees usually start as first officers, or fly less sophisticated equipment. Test pilots often are required to have an engineering degree.
Required Fees:
The cost of flying lessons depends on the type of aircraft flown and the cost of the flight instructor. For example, a Cessna 172, a basic 4-seat airplane ideal for training, typically rents for about $100 per hour, and a flight instructor is about $45 per hour. Larger or more complex airplanes or helicopters would cost more. Of course, costs vary between schools, and some may also offer package deals.
For More Information, Contact:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
800 Independence Ave.
Washington, DC 20591
Phone: 202.366.4000
http://www.faa.gov/
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Additional Resources
Information about job opportunities, salaries for a particular airline, and qualifications required may be obtained by writing to the personnel manager of the airline.
For information on airline pilots, contact:
Airline Pilots Association
1625 Massachusetts Ave. NW.
Washington, DC 20036
Air Transport Association of America, Inc.
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20004
For information on helicopter pilots, contact:
Helicopter Association International
1619 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
For a copy of the List of Certificated Pilot Schools, write to:
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
(There is a charge for this publication.)
For information about job opportunities in companies other than airlines, consult the classified section of aviation trade magazines and apply to companies that operate aircraft at local airports.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
90.50 | Transportation | Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
81.75 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
74.00 | Geography | Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
67.50 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
60.25 | Public Safety and Security | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
55.25 | Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
55.25 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
53.75 | Administration and Management | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
50.25 | Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
50.00 | Mechanical | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
90.50 | Operation and Control | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
78.00 | Operations Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
75.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
75.00 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
72.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
68.75 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
65.50 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
65.50 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
65.50 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
62.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
59.50 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
56.25 | Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
53.00 | Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
50.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
50.00 | Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. |
50.00 | Troubleshooting | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
50.00 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
81.25 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
81.25 | Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. |
81.25 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
81.25 | Control Precision | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
78.00 | Response Orientation | The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. |
75.00 | Depth Perception | The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
75.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
75.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
75.00 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
75.00 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
75.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
72.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
72.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
72.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
68.75 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
68.75 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
68.75 | Reaction Time | The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. |
68.75 | Multilimb Coordination | The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
65.50 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
62.50 | Spatial Orientation | The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you. |
62.50 | Manual Dexterity | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
62.50 | Time Sharing | The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources). |
62.50 | Rate Control | The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. |
59.50 | Arm-Hand Steadiness | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
56.25 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
56.25 | Hearing Sensitivity | The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. |
53.00 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
53.00 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
53.00 | Visual Color Discrimination | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
53.00 | Glare Sensitivity | The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting. |
50.00 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
50.00 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
50.00 | Speed of Closure | The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns. |
50.00 | Auditory Attention | The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
94.50 | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
88.75 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
87.75 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
85.25 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
83.50 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
82.25 | Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
76.75 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
76.00 | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
71.75 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
71.00 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
65.50 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
65.50 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
64.75 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
64.50 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
63.25 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
62.25 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
62.00 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
61.75 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
58.75 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
56.50 | Handling and Moving Objects | Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
56.50 | Developing and Building Teams | Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
53.50 | Communicating with People Outside the Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
52.75 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
51.25 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
51.00 | Assisting and Caring for Others | Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
49.50 | Performing Administrative Activities | Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
92.25 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
90.25 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
85.00 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
84.75 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
84.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
80.75 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
79.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
76.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
76.50 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
76.50 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
73.50 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
72.75 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
72.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
70.75 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
67.50 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
49.50 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
94.50 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
88.83 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
83.33 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
77.83 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
61.17 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
61.17 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
93.40 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
92.80 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
92.60 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
91.80 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
90.40 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
89.00 | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? |
88.00 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
87.80 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
87.20 | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather | How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? |
86.00 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
85.80 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
85.80 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
85.00 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
84.80 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
84.60 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
84.20 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
83.80 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
81.40 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
78.60 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
77.40 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
76.20 | Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions? |
75.60 | Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting | How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions? |
75.60 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
75.20 | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? |
75.20 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
73.20 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
73.20 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
72.80 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
72.20 | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
70.80 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
70.40 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
63.40 | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? |
63.40 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
59.60 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
59.40 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
58.20 | Exposed to High Places | How often does this job require exposure to high places? |
56.80 | Exposed to Whole Body Vibration | How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer)? |
56.20 | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) |
53.80 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
52.80 | Outdoors, Under Cover | How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)? |
51.20 | In an Open Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)? |
51.20 | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $54,100.00 | $103,910.00 | $149,170.00 |
Virginia | $62,100.00 | $127,390.00 | $166,480.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $85,461.61 | $124,384.89 | $155,969.93 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $58,170.04 | $88,082.86 | $118,304.72 |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | $58,595.65 | $111,537.76 | $145,099.93 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $86,183.78 | $123,851.07 | $159,660.91 |
Northern Virginia | $88,160.90 | $146,300.77 | $194,526.93 |
Piedmont Workforce | $96,976.78 | $138,295.51 | $183,831.74 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 47,700 | 50,100 | +5.0% |
Virginia | 824 | 930 | +12.9% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Air Traffic Controllers
- Airfield Operations Specialists
- Aviation Inspectors
- Locomotive Engineers
- Avionics Technicians
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
- Ship Engineers
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
- Aircraft Service Attendants
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Flight Attendants
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Transportation Inspectors
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Careers in Transportation Operations Pathway:
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Aircraft Service Attendants
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
- Bridge and Lock Tenders
- Bus Drivers, School
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
- Commercial Pilots
- Couriers and Messengers
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers, All Other
- Flight Attendants
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Light Truck Drivers
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Locomotive Engineers
- Material Moving Workers, All Other
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other
- Motorboat Operators
- Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Passenger Attendants
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
- Rail Transportation Workers, All Other
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
- Recycling Coordinators
- Sailors and Marine Oilers
- Ship Engineers
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
- Subway and Streetcar Operators
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
- Taxi Drivers
- Transportation Workers, All Other
- Wellhead Pumpers
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
View Videos
CareerOneStop Video
View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics Videos
Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Aviation Maintenance and Allied
- Helicopter Pilots
- Non-Occupational, Other
- Other Fixed-Wing Pilots
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Titles
- Aerial Advertiser
- Aerial Crop Duster
- Aerial Hurricane Hunter
- Aerial Sprayer
- Agricultural Aviation Pilot
- Agricultural Pilot
- Air Ambulance Captain
- Air Tour Pilot
- Airplane Patroller
- Airplane Pilot
- Astronaut
- Aviator
- Balloon Pilot
- Balloonist
- Captain
- Charter Pilot
- Check Airman
- Chopper Operator
- Commercial Airplane Pilot
- Commercial Helicopter Pilot
- Commercial Pilot
- Corporate Pilot
- Crop Duster
- Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot (EMS Rotary Wing Pilot)
- EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot)
- Executive Pilot
- First Officer
- Fixed Wing Pilot
- Flight Instructor
- Flight Operations Director
- Flyer
- Flying Instructor
- Helicopter Pilot
- Line Pilot
- Mapping Pilot
- Photogrammetry Airplane Pilot
- Pilot
- Private Pilot
- Rotary Wing Line Pilot
- Spray Pilot
- Test Pilot
- Transport Pilot
- Utility Pilot
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Commercial Pilots
Related Schools
- Averett University
- Blue Ridge Community College
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)