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The differences between chief pilots and line pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a chief pilot and a line pilot. Additionally, a line pilot has an average salary of $96,403, which is higher than the $86,920 average annual salary of a chief pilot.
The top three skills for a chief pilot include flight operations, pilot-in-command and PIC. The most important skills for a line pilot are EMS, helicopter, and federal aviation.
| Chief Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $86,920 | $96,403 |
| Hourly rate | $41.79 | $46.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 16,638 | 47,582 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Chief Pilot assigns and oversees the duties of flight and ground personnel. They ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including federal aviation regulations.
A line pilot or pilot monitor is responsible for the safe operation and procedures of a company's aircraft. They see to it that an airline is implementing regulations under state and local rules. A pilot monitor communicates accurately and effectively with the passengers, staff, aircraft officials, crew members, and other authorities. They inspect and monitor if the cargo and packages are kept properly. This career is for a person who has management and organizational skills.
Chief pilots and line pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chief Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Average salary | $86,920 | $96,403 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $126,000 | Between $67,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | NetJets | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a chief pilot and a line pilot in terms of educational background:
| Chief Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between chief pilots' and line pilots' demographics:
| Chief Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.7% White, 81.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |