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Helicopter pilot vs charter pilot

The differences between helicopter pilots and charter 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 a charter pilot. Additionally, a helicopter pilot has an average salary of $89,418, which is higher than the $87,597 average annual salary of a charter pilot.

The top three skills for a helicopter pilot include FAA, PIC and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for a charter pilot are on-demand, pilot-in-command, and FAA.

Helicopter pilot vs charter pilot overview

Helicopter PilotCharter Pilot
Yearly salary$89,418$87,597
Hourly rate$42.99$42.11
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs4,0542,711
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Helicopter pilot vs charter pilot salary

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

Helicopter PilotCharter Pilot
Average salary$89,418$87,597
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $128,000Between $65,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyBrainerd Chemical Co-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between helicopter pilot and charter pilot education

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

Helicopter PilotCharter Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignSUNY Farmingdale

Helicopter pilot vs charter pilot demographics

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

Helicopter PilotCharter Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between helicopter pilot and charter 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.
    • Show more

Charter pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Develop and implement operational and administrative policies to align company policies and procedures with government (FAA) regulatory guidelines.
  • Conduct pilot proficiency and standardization evaluations in both A320 aircraft and simulator.

Helicopter pilot vs charter pilot skills

Common helicopter pilot skills
  • FAA, 18%
  • PIC, 18%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 17%
  • IFR, 7%
  • Combat, 6%
  • Helicopter Operations, 5%
Common charter pilot skills
  • On-Demand, 32%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 21%
  • FAA, 20%
  • PIC, 19%
  • Flight Operations, 8%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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