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Air force pilot vs airline pilot

The differences between air force pilots and airline pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an air force pilot and an airline pilot. Additionally, an air force pilot has an average salary of $98,196, which is higher than the $85,534 average annual salary of an airline pilot.

The top three skills for an air force pilot include FAA, flight operations and USAF. The most important skills for an airline pilot are aircraft systems, FAA, and PIC.

Air force pilot vs airline pilot overview

Air Force PilotAirline Pilot
Yearly salary$98,196$85,534
Hourly rate$47.21$41.12
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,8672,851
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Air force pilot vs airline pilot salary

Air force pilots and airline pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

Air Force PilotAirline Pilot
Average salary$98,196$85,534
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $130,000Between $66,000 And $110,000
Highest paying City-Saint George, UT
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Spirit Airlines
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between air force pilot and airline pilot education

There are a few differences between an air force pilot and an airline pilot in terms of educational background:

Air Force PilotAirline Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Air force pilot vs airline pilot demographics

Here are the differences between air force pilots' and airline pilots' demographics:

Air Force PilotAirline Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 80.0% Female, 20.0%Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between air force pilot and airline pilot duties and responsibilities

Air force pilot example responsibilities.

  • Lead several Russian inspectors during a highly-visible reentry vehicle inspection on-site inspection - commend for superb leadership
  • Establish maintenance management procedures and agile logistics support channels to sustain continuous network operations.
  • Perform lean logistics requirements by recognizing and eliminating wasteful activities from the supply chain and successfully increase product efficiency.
  • Direct the daily operations that provide aggressive worldwide sourcing for mission capable requisitions and current and accurate statuses to senior leadership.
  • Provide technical expertise as software development consultant for F/A-18 planning and debriefing system.

Airline pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Conduct pilot proficiency and standardization evaluations in both A320 aircraft and simulator.

Air force pilot vs airline pilot skills

Common air force pilot skills
  • FAA, 20%
  • Flight Operations, 9%
  • USAF, 8%
  • DOD, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Combat, 5%
Common airline pilot skills
  • Aircraft Systems, 35%
  • FAA, 13%
  • PIC, 12%
  • Flight Operations, 10%
  • Federal Aviation, 8%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 6%

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