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The differences between helicopter pilots and corporate 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 corporate pilot. Additionally, a helicopter pilot has an average salary of $89,418, which is higher than the $87,661 average annual salary of a corporate pilot.
The top three skills for a helicopter pilot include FAA, PIC and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for a corporate pilot are FAA, pilot-in-command, and PIC.
| Helicopter Pilot | Corporate Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $89,418 | $87,661 |
| Hourly rate | $42.99 | $42.14 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 4,054 | 12,371 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A helicopter pilot is responsible for operating a helicopter engine to transport people and materials from one place to another. Helicopter pilots usually work in industrial and government settings, assisting with rescue operations, medical deliveries, and gathering aerial video and photos for data purposes. They inspect the condition of aircraft controls and components, ensuring its safety and efficiency during operations to avoid hazards and delays. A helicopter pilot determines flight plans with utmost consideration with weather forecasts and aircraft stability.
Typically working for large companies, a corporate pilot's role is to operate company aircraft for official work trips. Their responsibilities include coordinating with airports, directing and overseeing flight crew, preparing and processing documentation, and adhering to all the protocols and safety checks to ensure safety and efficiency. There are also instances where they must meet and greet passengers, file itinerary plans, and resolve issues and concerns. Furthermore, a corporate pilot must perform regular inspections and maintain an active communication line with staff on land and within the aircraft.
Helicopter pilots and corporate pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Helicopter Pilot | Corporate Pilot | |
| Average salary | $89,418 | $87,661 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $128,000 | Between $63,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Brainerd Chemical Co | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a helicopter pilot and a corporate pilot in terms of educational background:
| Helicopter Pilot | Corporate Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between helicopter pilots' and corporate pilots' demographics:
| Helicopter Pilot | Corporate Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 94.0% Female, 6.0% |
| 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, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |