Certified flight instructor vs master instructor

The differences between certified flight instructors and master instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a certified flight instructor and a master instructor. Additionally, a master instructor has an average salary of $56,520, which is higher than the $54,283 average annual salary of a certified flight instructor.

The top three skills for a certified flight instructor include CFI, syllabus and aircraft systems. The most important skills for a master instructor are instructional techniques, safety procedures, and course materials.

Certified flight instructor vs master instructor overview

	Certified Flight Instructor	Master Instructor
Yearly salary	$54,283	$56,520
Hourly rate	$26.10	$27.17
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	59,767	32,808
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Certified flight instructor vs master instructor salary

Certified flight instructors and master instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Flight Instructor	Master Instructor
Average salary	$54,283	$56,520
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $84,000	Between $33,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	Plymouth, MA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	California
Best paying company	Beta	New York Institute of Technology
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between certified flight instructor and master instructor education

There are a few differences between a certified flight instructor and a master instructor in terms of educational background:

	Certified Flight Instructor	Master Instructor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Certified flight instructor vs master instructor demographics

Here are the differences between certified flight instructors' and master instructors' demographics:

	Certified Flight Instructor	Master Instructor
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8%	Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between certified flight instructor and master instructor duties and responsibilities

Certified flight instructor example responsibilities.

Achieve business objectives require by corporate standards.
Used PowerPoint to create grind school lessons.
Provide world-class flight instruction that meet the training course outlines and syllabus.
Present ground lessons and prepare all flight lessons in accordance with syllabus.
Provide grind instruction to primary, commercial, instrument, and CFI students.
Provide flight instruction for new and ongoing private, commercial, and initial CFI students.

Master instructor example responsibilities.

Lead a team of 10 instructors; provide basic classroom instruction and practical hands-on firefighting instruction training.
Work on the range as a RSO.
Track all require FAA training documents.
Conduct PSS missions as assigned per RSO on site.
Lead BSIS firearms instructor and NRA pistol and shotgun instructor.
Research, interpret, analyze and apply DOD policies and regulations.

Certified flight instructor vs master instructor skills

Common certified flight instructor skills

CFI, 23%
Syllabus, 19%
Aircraft Systems, 12%
Emergency Procedures, 8%
Single Engine, 8%
MEI, 6%

Common master instructor skills

Instructional Techniques, 12%
Safety Procedures, 12%
Course Materials, 10%
Curriculum Development, 8%
Training Courses, 7%
Training Sessions, 5%

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Certified Flight Instructor vs Master Instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

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