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Commercial pilot vs co pilot

The differences between commercial pilots and co 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 commercial pilot and a co pilot. Additionally, a commercial pilot has an average salary of $94,406, which is higher than the $93,703 average annual salary of a co pilot.

The top three skills for a commercial pilot include FAA, flight operations and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for a co pilot are FAA, PIC, and flight operations.

Commercial pilot vs co pilot overview

Commercial PilotCo Pilot
Yearly salary$94,406$93,703
Hourly rate$45.39$45.05
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs29,1187,852
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Commercial pilot vs co pilot salary

Commercial pilots and co pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

Commercial PilotCo Pilot
Average salary$94,406$93,703
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $139,000Between $72,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CityJackson, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyRealty World California-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between commercial pilot and co pilot education

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

Commercial PilotCo Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Commercial pilot vs co pilot demographics

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

Commercial PilotCo Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 91.9% Female, 8.1%Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between commercial pilot and co pilot duties and responsibilities

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

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.

Commercial pilot vs co pilot skills

Common commercial pilot skills
  • FAA, 24%
  • Flight Operations, 12%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 11%
  • PIC, 11%
  • Flight Planning, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
Common co pilot skills
  • FAA, 44%
  • PIC, 40%
  • Flight Operations, 8%
  • SIC, 3%
  • ISR, 2%
  • Corporate Aircraft, 1%

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