Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between helicopter pilots and line 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 line pilot. Additionally, a line pilot has an average salary of $96,403, which is higher than the $89,418 average annual salary of a helicopter pilot.
The top three skills for a helicopter pilot include FAA, PIC and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for a line pilot are EMS, helicopter, and federal aviation.
| Helicopter Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $89,418 | $96,403 |
| Hourly rate | $42.99 | $46.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 4,054 | 47,582 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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.
A line pilot or pilot monitor is responsible for the safe operation and procedures of a company's aircraft. They see to it that an airline is implementing regulations under state and local rules. A pilot monitor communicates accurately and effectively with the passengers, staff, aircraft officials, crew members, and other authorities. They inspect and monitor if the cargo and packages are kept properly. This career is for a person who has management and organizational skills.
Helicopter pilots and line pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Helicopter Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Average salary | $89,418 | $96,403 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $128,000 | Between $67,000 And $137,000 |
| 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 line pilot in terms of educational background:
| Helicopter Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between helicopter pilots' and line pilots' demographics:
| Helicopter Pilot | Line Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| 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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |