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The differences between pilot instructors 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 pilot instructor and an aircraft pilot. Additionally, an aircraft pilot has an average salary of $94,207, which is higher than the $90,143 average annual salary of a pilot instructor.
The top three skills for a pilot instructor include FAA, simulator and instructor pilot. The most important skills for an aircraft pilot are FAA, airspace, and mission planning.
| Pilot Instructor | Aircraft Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $90,143 | $94,207 |
| Hourly rate | $43.34 | $45.29 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 26,978 | 5,585 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The key role of a Pilot Instructor is to teach students procedures and techniques about how to fly aircraft. They offer instruction for both on the ground and in the sky, prepare lesson plans, and assess and monitor students performance.
An aircraft pilot handles the operations and maintenance of an aircraft. They are responsible for the safety of the aircraft, the passengers, and the crew. An aircraft pilot must have the required flight time experience, the necessary licenses, and a complete understanding of all airline safety protocols. This position also requires organizational skills, discipline, communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure.
Pilot instructors and aircraft pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Instructor | Aircraft Pilot | |
| Average salary | $90,143 | $94,207 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $133,000 | Between $72,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | La Quinta, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | OBXtek | Michels |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a pilot instructor and an aircraft pilot in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Instructor | Aircraft Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between pilot instructors' and aircraft pilots' demographics:
| Pilot Instructor | Aircraft Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.6% 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% |