Helicopter pilot vs airline pilot

The differences between helicopter pilots and airline 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 helicopter pilot and an airline pilot. Additionally, a helicopter pilot has an average salary of $89,418, which is higher than the $85,534 average annual salary of an airline pilot.

The top three skills for a helicopter pilot include FAA, PIC and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for an airline pilot are aircraft systems, FAA, and PIC.

Helicopter pilot vs airline pilot overview

	Helicopter Pilot	Airline Pilot
Yearly salary	$89,418	$85,534
Hourly rate	$42.99	$41.12
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	4,054	2,851
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Helicopter pilot vs airline pilot salary

Helicopter pilots and airline pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Helicopter Pilot	Airline Pilot
Average salary	$89,418	$85,534
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $128,000	Between $66,000 And $110,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Saint George, UT
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	Brainerd Chemical Co	Spirit Airlines
Best paying industry	Transportation	Transportation

Differences between helicopter pilot and airline pilot education

There are a few differences between a helicopter pilot and an airline pilot in terms of educational background:

	Helicopter Pilot	Airline Pilot
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	SUNY Farmingdale

Helicopter pilot vs airline pilot demographics

Here are the differences between helicopter pilots' and airline pilots' demographics:

	Helicopter Pilot	Airline Pilot
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between helicopter pilot and airline pilot duties and responsibilities

Helicopter pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Train in robinson r22 and r44
Ensure compliance with all OSHA and EPA regulations.
Operate in IFR and marginal weather conditions between multiple states.
Maintain program compliance with OSHA, DOD, and other local agencies as required by regulations.
Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

Airline pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
Conduct pilot proficiency and standardization evaluations in both A320 aircraft and simulator.

Helicopter pilot vs airline pilot skills

Common helicopter pilot skills

FAA, 18%
PIC, 18%
Pilot-In-Command, 17%
IFR, 7%
Combat, 6%
Helicopter Operations, 5%

Common airline pilot skills

Aircraft Systems, 35%
FAA, 13%
PIC, 12%
Flight Operations, 10%
Federal Aviation, 8%
Pilot-In-Command, 6%

Helicopter Pilot vs. similar jobs

Helicopter Pilot related careers

Helicopter Pilot related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter Pilot vs Airline Pilot

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs