Helicopter pilot vs private pilot

The differences between helicopter pilots and private 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 private pilot. Additionally, a private pilot has an average salary of $100,673, 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 private pilot are FAA, pilot license, and single engine.

Helicopter pilot vs private pilot overview

	Helicopter Pilot	Private Pilot
Yearly salary	$89,418	$100,673
Hourly rate	$42.99	$48.40
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	4,054	5,013
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Helicopter pilot vs private pilot salary

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

	Helicopter Pilot	Private Pilot
Average salary	$89,418	$100,673
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $128,000	Between $74,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Brainerd Chemical Co	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between helicopter pilot and private pilot education

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

	Helicopter Pilot	Private Pilot
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	Stanford University

Helicopter pilot vs private pilot demographics

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

	Helicopter Pilot	Private Pilot
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between helicopter pilot and private 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.

Private pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Complete FAA certify private private pilot training.
Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

Helicopter pilot vs private pilot skills

Common helicopter pilot skills

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

Common private pilot skills

FAA, 59%
Pilot License, 31%
Single Engine, 10%

Helicopter Pilot vs. similar jobs

Helicopter Pilot related careers

Helicopter Pilot related jobs

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Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter Pilot vs Private Pilot

Updated January 8, 2025

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