Fixed wing pilot vs private pilot

The differences between fixed wing pilots and private 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 fixed wing pilot and a private pilot. Additionally, a fixed wing pilot has an average salary of $102,889, which is higher than the $100,673 average annual salary of a private pilot.

The top three skills for a fixed wing pilot include EMS, pilot-in-command and flight operations. The most important skills for a private pilot are FAA, pilot license, and single engine.

Fixed wing pilot vs private pilot overview

	Fixed Wing Pilot	Private Pilot
Yearly salary	$102,889	$100,673
Hourly rate	$49.47	$48.40
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	2,989	5,013
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Fixed wing pilot vs private pilot salary

Fixed wing pilots and private pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fixed Wing Pilot	Private Pilot
Average salary	$102,889	$100,673
Salary range	Between $78,000 And $134,000	Between $74,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between fixed wing pilot and private pilot education

There are a few differences between a fixed wing pilot and a private pilot in terms of educational background:

	Fixed Wing Pilot	Private Pilot
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Fixed wing pilot vs private pilot demographics

Here are the differences between fixed wing pilots' and private pilots' demographics:

	Fixed Wing Pilot	Private Pilot
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%	Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between fixed wing pilot and private pilot duties and responsibilities

Fixed wing pilot example responsibilities.

Project manage the initial fielding of the RQ-11 tactical UAV system.
Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Spearhead UAS integration into the national airspace system by facilitating new FAA UAS corridors and tripling available UAS training ranges.
Perform extensive aircrew instruction and evaluation in actual aircraft, simulators and classroom to ensure the fighter wing's operational readiness.
Participate in ATOS, DOD, and IOSA audits
Perform all PIC duties on each trip.

Private pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Complete FAA certify private private pilot training.
Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

Fixed wing pilot vs private pilot skills

Common fixed wing pilot skills

EMS, 93%
Pilot-In-Command, 4%
Flight Operations, 1%
Training Programs, 1%
Instructor Pilot, 0%
ATM, 0%

Common private pilot skills

FAA, 59%
Pilot License, 31%
Single Engine, 10%

Fixed Wing Pilot vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Fixed Wing Pilot
Fixed Wing Pilot vs Private Pilot

Updated January 8, 2025

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