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
Education
Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)
Flight training and FAA certifications; many airlines prefer a degree.
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Airline Pilot
Entry / Junior
$90,000
~2 yrs to advance
Airline Pilot
Established
$171,000
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Airline Pilot
Senior
$260,500
Key skills
A typical day
- •Plan and conduct flights
- •Monitor aircraft systems
- •Coordinate with control
Fields of study
Aviation · Aeronautical Science
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.