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The differences between fixed wing 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 fixed wing pilot and a pilot captain. Additionally, a fixed wing pilot has an average salary of $102,889, which is higher than the $68,096 average annual salary of a pilot captain.
The top three skills for a fixed wing pilot include EMS, pilot-in-command and flight operations. The most important skills for a pilot captain are PIC, FAA, and IFR.
| Fixed Wing Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Yearly salary | $102,889 | $68,096 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $32.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 2,989 | 5,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A fixed-wing pilot specializes in operating aircraft, ensuring efficiency and safety. Among their responsibilities include monitoring the aircraft's fuel and systems, conducting safety checks before and after flights, maintaining documents, and coordinating with airports and air traffic controls. There are also instances where they must attend conferences, greet passengers, and provide private flights. Furthermore, like a fixed-wing pilot, it is essential to conduct regular inspections and maintain an active communication line with staff.
A pilot captain is an experienced pilot who is primarily responsible for the flight, passengers, and crew. As the pilot with the highest authority in an aircraft, they are in charge of ensuring that all necessary procedures and safety checks are carried out before, during, and after flights. It is also their duty to conduct weather and flight plan checks, coordinate with air-traffic controllers and airport personnel while working together with co-pilots, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
Fixed wing pilots and pilot captains have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fixed Wing Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average salary | $102,889 | $68,096 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $134,000 | Between $57,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Wiggins Airways |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a fixed wing pilot and a pilot captain in terms of educational background:
| Fixed Wing Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Stanford University | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between fixed wing pilots' and pilot captains' demographics:
| Fixed Wing Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |