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Military pilot vs aircraft pilot

The differences between military pilots and aircraft 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 military pilot and an aircraft pilot. Additionally, a military pilot has an average salary of $100,754, which is higher than the $94,207 average annual salary of an aircraft pilot.

The top three skills for a military pilot include helicopter, logistics and safety. The most important skills for an aircraft pilot are FAA, airspace, and mission planning.

Military pilot vs aircraft pilot overview

Military PilotAircraft Pilot
Yearly salary$100,754$94,207
Hourly rate$48.44$45.29
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs5,2175,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Military pilot vs aircraft pilot salary

Military pilots and aircraft pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

Military PilotAircraft Pilot
Average salary$100,754$94,207
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $137,000Between $72,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City-La Quinta, CA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Michels
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between military pilot and aircraft pilot education

There are a few differences between a military pilot and an aircraft pilot in terms of educational background:

Military PilotAircraft Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeStanford UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Military pilot vs aircraft pilot demographics

Here are the differences between military pilots' and aircraft pilots' demographics:

Military PilotAircraft Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 92.3% Female, 7.7%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between military pilot and aircraft pilot duties and responsibilities

Military pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Qualify in helicopters, multi-engine transports and various training aircraft.
  • Coordinate with AATD and USMA to assist with visits to the UK.

Aircraft pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Conduct academic and flight training for USAF and international pilots in air-to-air combat tactics.
  • Plan, brief, execute and debrief air combat training missions.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Coordinate with AATD and USMA to assist with visits to the UK.

Military pilot vs aircraft pilot skills

Common military pilot skills
  • Helicopter, 73%
  • Logistics, 14%
  • Safety, 14%
Common aircraft pilot skills
  • FAA, 38%
  • Airspace, 11%
  • Mission Planning, 8%
  • UAS, 8%
  • Army Aviation, 6%
  • Combat, 6%

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