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Commercial pilot vs pilot captain

The differences between commercial pilots and pilot captains 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 pilot captain. Additionally, a commercial pilot has an average salary of $94,406, which is higher than the $68,096 average annual salary of a pilot captain.

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

Commercial pilot vs pilot captain overview

Commercial PilotPilot Captain
Yearly salary$94,406$68,096
Hourly rate$45.39$32.74
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs29,1185,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Commercial pilot vs pilot captain salary

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

Commercial PilotPilot Captain
Average salary$94,406$68,096
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $139,000Between $57,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityJackson, CANewark, NJ
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyRealty World CaliforniaWiggins Airways
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between commercial pilot and pilot captain education

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

Commercial PilotPilot Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Commercial pilot vs pilot captain demographics

Here are the differences between commercial pilots' and pilot captains' demographics:

Commercial PilotPilot Captain
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 91.9% Female, 8.1%Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%
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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between commercial pilot and pilot captain 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.
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Pilot captain example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Evaluate trainee knowledge of aircraft systems and company procedures and adherence to FAA standards.
  • Perform UAS and grind equipment testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
  • Provide UAV mission support and flight instruction, annual proficiency reviews, and flight evaluations.
  • Present at events such as, tournament dinners, NCAA banquets and recognition events on behalf of the team.
  • Plan and conduct emergency drills, equipment checks, and safety meetings in accordance with USCG regulations and company policy.
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Commercial pilot vs pilot captain skills

Common commercial pilot skills
  • FAA, 24%
  • Flight Operations, 12%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 11%
  • PIC, 11%
  • Flight Planning, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
Common pilot captain skills
  • PIC, 37%
  • FAA, 25%
  • IFR, 16%
  • Icao, 5%
  • Flight Safety, 5%
  • Flight Operations, 5%

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