Flight inspector vs flight instructor

The differences between flight inspectors and flight instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a flight inspector, becoming a flight instructor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a flight instructor has an average salary of $51,324, which is higher than the $46,469 average annual salary of a flight inspector.

The top three skills for a flight inspector include MES, FAA and flight operations. The most important skills for a flight instructor are aircraft systems, syllabus, and CFI.

Flight inspector vs flight instructor overview

	Flight Inspector	Flight Instructor
Yearly salary	$46,469	$51,324
Hourly rate	$22.34	$24.68
Growth rate	-	2%
Number of jobs	17,956	25,735
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	49	46
Years of experience	-	4

Flight inspector vs flight instructor salary

Flight inspectors and flight instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Flight Inspector	Flight Instructor
Average salary	$46,469	$51,324
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $85,000	Between $32,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	Atwater, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Cirrus Aircraft
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between flight inspector and flight instructor education

There are a few differences between a flight inspector and a flight instructor in terms of educational background:

	Flight Inspector	Flight Instructor
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Flight inspector vs flight instructor demographics

Here are the differences between flight inspectors' and flight instructors' demographics:

	Flight Inspector	Flight Instructor
Average age	49	46
Gender ratio	Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.5% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	16%

Differences between flight inspector and flight instructor duties and responsibilities

Flight inspector example responsibilities.

Accomplish all task to latest blue print revision, and FAA circulars and service bulletin's.
Display and interpreting weather and NOTAMS.
Inspect airframe modifications and custom interior installations for BBJ's according customer requests.
Involve with all RII inspections.
Work in conjunction with aircraft coordinator to manufacture the GV and GIV by interpreting blue prints and technical procedures.

Flight instructor example responsibilities.

Manage the daily maintenance efforts for 9 P-3C aircraft to meet short and long range flight tasking.
Manage and monitor all flight systems and electrical in-flight avionics of various commercial aircraft equipment types.
Conduct training using, CBT, stand-up lectures, PowerPoint, Wicat 2D FMS, and FTD trainers.
Diagnose, troubleshoot malfunctions and perform extensive maintenance operational checks on all systems.
Create and maintain training records for USAF students.
Maintain relationships with both local DPE's and FBO managers.

Flight inspector vs flight instructor skills

Common flight inspector skills

MES, 45%
FAA, 17%
Flight Operations, 12%
Aircraft Systems, 10%
Engineering Specifications, 4%
Calipers, 3%

Common flight instructor skills

Aircraft Systems, 9%
Syllabus, 8%
CFI, 8%
Flight Operations, 6%
Training Programs, 5%
PowerPoint, 5%

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Flight Inspector
Flight Inspector vs Flight Instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

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