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The differences between line pilots and pilot captains 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 a pilot captain. Additionally, a line pilot has an average salary of $96,403, which is higher than the $68,096 average annual salary of a pilot captain.
The top three skills for a line pilot include EMS, helicopter and federal aviation. The most important skills for a pilot captain are PIC, FAA, and IFR.
| Line Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Yearly salary | $96,403 | $68,096 |
| Hourly rate | $46.35 | $32.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 47,582 | 5,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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.
A pilot captain is an experienced pilot who is primarily responsible for the flight, passengers, and crew. As the pilot with the highest authority in an aircraft, they are in charge of ensuring that all necessary procedures and safety checks are carried out before, during, and after flights. It is also their duty to conduct weather and flight plan checks, coordinate with air-traffic controllers and airport personnel while working together with co-pilots, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
Line pilots and pilot captains have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average salary | $96,403 | $68,096 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $137,000 | Between $57,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Wiggins Airways |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a line pilot and a pilot captain in terms of educational background:
| Line Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between line pilots' and pilot captains' demographics:
| Line Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |