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Co pilot vs captain

The differences between co pilots and captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a co pilot, becoming a captain takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a co pilot has an average salary of $93,703, which is higher than the $52,161 average annual salary of a captain.

The top three skills for a co pilot include FAA, PIC and flight operations. The most important skills for a captain are customer service, safety standards, and food preparation.

Co pilot vs captain overview

Co PilotCaptain
Yearly salary$93,703$52,161
Hourly rate$45.05$25.08
Growth rate6%1%
Number of jobs7,8524,430
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4442
Years of experience46

Co pilot vs captain salary

Co pilots and captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Co PilotCaptain
Average salary$93,703$52,161
Salary rangeBetween $72,000 And $121,000Between $31,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between co pilot and captain education

There are a few differences between a co pilot and a captain in terms of educational background:

Co PilotCaptain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAviationBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleStanford University

Co pilot vs captain demographics

Here are the differences between co pilots' and captains' demographics:

Co PilotCaptain
Average age4442
Gender ratioMale, 83.8% Female, 16.2%Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6%
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, 6.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between co pilot and captain duties and responsibilities

Co pilot example responsibilities.

  • Lead performance analysis, plan test sequences, document test details, and liaise with engineers and FAA representatives.
  • Operate company-owned aircraft in compliance with all FAA regulations and international procedures.
  • 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.

Captain example responsibilities.

  • Delegate responsibilities to crew members, verify inventory, manage payroll, steer the ship and operate dredge.
  • Lead the team as defensive captain to win the national championship of the most elite football level in Mexico.
  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Participate in intramural volleyball, basketball and indoor and outdoor soccer.
  • Ensure the synchronized delivery of additional manpower to combat operations by utilizing all available assets and effective logistics management.
  • Complete CPR and a training.
  • Show more

Co pilot vs captain skills

Common co pilot skills
  • FAA, 44%
  • PIC, 40%
  • Flight Operations, 8%
  • SIC, 3%
  • ISR, 2%
  • Corporate Aircraft, 1%
Common captain skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Safety Standards, 11%
  • Food Preparation, 11%
  • POS, 5%
  • Role Model, 5%
  • Logistics, 4%

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