Occupations/53-2011.00
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
53%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
75%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
79%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Mostly routine
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- Task
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- 02Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- 03Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- 04Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- 05Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- 06Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.97
- Degree of automation3.58
- Time sitting4.74
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations3.47
- Hands-on objects/tools4.60
- Outdoors / weather3.42
- Disease exposure2.05
- Decision freedom4.33
Top abilities
- Response Orientation4.88
- Problem Sensitivity4.75
- Control Precision4.62
- Reaction Time4.25
- Near Vision4.25
- Far Vision4.25
- Rate Control4.12
- Perceptual Speed4.12
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening4.12
- Writing3.12
- Speaking3.75
- Mathematics3.12
- Science2.75
- Critical Thinking4.12
- Active Learning3.75
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring4.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 13 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $9,700 | 71% | 62% | 1 yr $55,061 2 yr $51,106 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $51,035 2 yr $43,368 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $10,000 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $47,494 2 yr $41,789 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $46,478 2 yr $41,937 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr $42,774 2 yr — Associate · CIP 49.01 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $41,342 2 yr $46,869 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr $40,368 Associate · CIP 49.01 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr $40,017 2 yr $38,072 Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
St Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $9,600 | 95% | 56% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Associate · CIP 49.01 |
South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $9,600 | 99% | 66% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 49.0102 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 49.01 |