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The differences between line pilots and air tour 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 line pilot and an air tour pilot. Additionally, an air tour pilot has an average salary of $101,440, which is higher than the $96,403 average annual salary of a line pilot.
The top three skills for a line pilot include EMS, helicopter and federal aviation. The most important skills for an air tour pilot are PIC, customer service, and UAV.
| Line Pilot | Air Tour Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $96,403 | $101,440 |
| Hourly rate | $46.35 | $48.77 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 47,582 | 3,885 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Air Tour Pilots fly and navigate helicopters, planes, or any other aircraft providing rides to tourists. The pilot's transport passengers between local destinations, answer queries regarding the areas they pass by, or explain sightseeing opportunities. They usually work for certain companies to transport cargo on their fixed schedules. They conduct safety audits for operations specifications to ensure that the aircraft operates within the safety margins. Also, they take part in station leadership teams representing flight operations.
Line pilots and air tour pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Pilot | Air Tour Pilot | |
| Average salary | $96,403 | $101,440 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $137,000 | Between $78,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a line pilot and an air tour pilot in terms of educational background:
| Line Pilot | Air Tour Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between line pilots' and air tour pilots' demographics:
| Line Pilot | Air Tour Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |