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Flight instructor vs vocational instructor

The differences between flight instructors and vocational instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight instructor and a vocational instructor. Additionally, a flight instructor has an average salary of $51,324, which is higher than the $41,610 average annual salary of a vocational instructor.

The top three skills for a flight instructor include aircraft systems, syllabus and CFI. The most important skills for a vocational instructor are plumbing, course objectives, and developmental disabilities.

Flight instructor vs vocational instructor overview

Flight InstructorVocational Instructor
Yearly salary$51,324$41,610
Hourly rate$24.68$20.00
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs25,73537,084
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a flight instructor do?

A Flight Instructor is responsible for teaching students how to fly aircrafts. They prepare lesson plans and evaluate and monitor students performance.

What does a vocational instructor do?

Depending on their field of specialization, a vocational instructor is usually found working in secondary schools, technical schools, or other training institutions. Their major duty is to teach students a specific trade or occupation. Their responsibility is to teach a particular subject that can immediately be applied to a specific field or job. They are also expected to provide guidance to students and assist them with placement, aside from teaching them in the classroom.

Flight instructor vs vocational instructor salary

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

Flight InstructorVocational Instructor
Average salary$51,324$41,610
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $80,000Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityAtwater, CASpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCirrus AircraftNew York State Restaurant Association
Best paying industryManufacturingUtilities

Differences between flight instructor and vocational instructor education

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

Flight InstructorVocational Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorAviationBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Flight instructor vs vocational instructor demographics

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

Flight InstructorVocational Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 49.4% Female, 50.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between flight instructor and vocational instructor duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Vocational instructor example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish creating new work processes for the students to follow; successfully bringing the required ASHP and the PTCB require standards.
  • Utilize blackboard management system to encourage online discussions and manage grades.
  • Teach all requirements necessary to prepare for the certification exam: proper aseptic sterile product technique for compounding and iv preparation.
  • Provide yearly first aid and CPR training for students and faculty.
  • Provide pertinent information and opinions for ISP and IEP team meetings.
  • Develop new products, jigs, fixtures, and production processes.
  • Show more

Flight instructor vs vocational instructor skills

Common flight instructor skills
  • Aircraft Systems, 9%
  • Syllabus, 8%
  • CFI, 8%
  • Flight Operations, 6%
  • Training Programs, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
Common vocational instructor skills
  • Plumbing, 24%
  • Course Objectives, 23%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Vocational Training, 5%
  • Safety Standards, 4%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

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