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Skilled Trades

Airline Pilot

Airline pilots operate aircraft, manage flight systems, and ensure passenger safety. High pay and prestige after a costly, rigorous training and licensing path.

Median salary (BLS)

$171,000

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$90k – $350k

Job outlook

+4% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Airline Pilot

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

Flight training and FAA certifications; many airlines prefer a degree.

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Airline Pilot" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Airline Pilot

    Entry / Junior

    $90,000

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Airline Pilot

    Established

    $171,000

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Airline Pilot

    Senior

    $260,500

Key skills

Flying proficiencyComposureSystems knowledgeDecision-making

A typical day

  • •Plan and conduct flights
  • •Monitor aircraft systems
  • •Coordinate with control

Fields of study

Aviation · Aeronautical Science

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.

Related careers

Aerospace Engineer