Pilot: career path and pay in the US
Where a Pilot goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from First Officer / Co-Pilot to Chief Pilot / Director of Flight Operations.
Also for the United Kingdom: Pilot in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 3 years
First Officer / Co-Pilot
$80K to $115K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Private Pilot License (PPL) - Global, Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - Global, Instrument Rating - Global, Multi-Engine Rating (optional) - Global.
Step 2 · 3 to 10 years
Captain / Airline Pilot
$180K to $270K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) - Global, Type Rating - Global, Instrument Rating - Global, Multi-Engine Rating - Global.
Step 3 · 10 to 20 years
Senior Captain / Check Airman
$200K to $300K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) - Global, Type Rating - Global, Instructor Rating (optional) - Global, Safety Management Systems (SMS) Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 20+ years
Chief Pilot / Director of Flight Operations
$225K to $335K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) - Global, Type Rating - Global, Safety Management Systems (SMS) Certification - Global, MBA (optional) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$80K to $115K → $225K to $335K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Senior Captain sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it. The published figure for Chief Pilot sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Geography
- Mathematics
Education people bring
- Bachelor's Degree: 61%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 18%
- Less than a High School Diploma: 8%
Job Zone 4, job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Other paths from here
- Flight Instructor
- Air Traffic Controller
- Aviation Manager
- Aircraft Dispatcher
More Transportation/Logistics paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Commercial Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Airfield Operations Specialists, Aircraft Service Attendants, Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels.
Your own role
How exposed is your job, task by task? Free score in under a minute.
SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.