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The differences between pilot instructors and aviators 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 aviator. Additionally, an aviator has an average salary of $97,217, 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 aviator are aircraft systems, flight safety, and flight training.
| Pilot Instructor | Aviator | |
| Yearly salary | $90,143 | $97,217 |
| Hourly rate | $43.34 | $46.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 26,978 | 3,482 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 86% |
| 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 aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions. Moreover, as an aviator, it is essential to be proactive and professional in dealing with issues and concerns.
Pilot instructors and aviators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Instructor | Aviator | |
| Average salary | $90,143 | $97,217 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $133,000 | Between $76,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | OBXtek | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a pilot instructor and an aviator in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Instructor | Aviator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 86% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between pilot instructors' and aviators' demographics:
| Pilot Instructor | Aviator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| 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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.7% White, 81.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |