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Air force pilot vs commercial pilot

The differences between air force pilots and commercial 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 a commercial pilot. Additionally, an air force pilot has an average salary of $98,196, which is higher than the $94,406 average annual salary of a commercial pilot.

The top three skills for an air force pilot include FAA, flight operations and USAF. The most important skills for a commercial pilot are FAA, flight operations, and pilot-in-command.

Air force pilot vs commercial pilot overview

Air Force PilotCommercial Pilot
Yearly salary$98,196$94,406
Hourly rate$47.21$45.39
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,86729,118
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Air force pilot vs commercial pilot salary

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

Air Force PilotCommercial Pilot
Average salary$98,196$94,406
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $130,000Between $63,000 And $139,000
Highest paying City-Jackson, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Realty World California
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between air force pilot and commercial pilot education

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

Air Force PilotCommercial Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Air force pilot vs commercial pilot demographics

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

Air Force PilotCommercial Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 80.0% Female, 20.0%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between air force pilot and commercial 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.

Commercial pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Instruct pilots in recurrent flight training and grind school for aircraft systems, FAA regulations, company policies and procedures.
  • Grind school, IFR and advance simulator training.
  • Monitor and ensure compliance with establish policies, directives, and FAA operation specifications.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Arm airborne helicopter escort and SAR operations.
  • Show more

Air force pilot vs commercial pilot skills

Common air force pilot skills
  • FAA, 20%
  • Flight Operations, 9%
  • USAF, 8%
  • DOD, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Combat, 5%
Common commercial pilot skills
  • FAA, 24%
  • Flight Operations, 12%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 11%
  • PIC, 11%
  • Flight Planning, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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