Commercial Pilots
Transportation and Material Moving
Flies fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters on unscheduled work such as charters, air tours, and medical transport, holding a Commercial Pilot certificate. Before each flight, checks engines, controls, instruments, and other systems, then plans the route with aeronautical charts and navigation instruments under government and company rules. Calculates takeoff speed from airport altitude, temperature, aircraft weight, and wind, and may change fuel, load, route, or schedule when safety requires it. During flight, monitors engines, fuel, and systems, uses instruments in poor visibility, and talks with control towers for clearances. A match for people who prefer hands-on aircraft checks, flight planning, and adjusting plans when conditions change.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (vocational/technical)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$123'220
Median Wage Market Position
$123'220
What you might do
- Fly charter, tour, or ambulance aircraft
- Test engines, controls, and instruments before takeoff
- Plot routes from charts and flight rules
- Figure takeoff speed from weight and wind
- Track fuel and systems while in the air
- Shift fuel, load, or route when safety requires
Skills that matter
- Checking engines, controls, and instruments before flight
- Calculating takeoff speed from weight and weather
- Instrument flying when visibility drops
- Planning flights from charts and regulations
- Calling towers for clearances and instructions
- Adjusting fuel, loads, or routes for safety
AI & the future of this role
Charter, medical, and tour flying often involves irregular conditions, short-notice decisions, and direct client trust that automation is unlikely to absorb soon. Certification and hands-on command of the aircraft continue to anchor demand even as cockpit aids improve.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details