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Plane captain vs aircraft pilot

The differences between plane captains 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 plane captain and an aircraft pilot. Additionally, an aircraft pilot has an average salary of $94,207, which is higher than the $51,391 average annual salary of a plane captain.

The top three skills for a plane captain include hand tools, cleanliness and maintenance manuals. The most important skills for an aircraft pilot are FAA, airspace, and mission planning.

Plane captain vs aircraft pilot overview

Plane CaptainAircraft Pilot
Yearly salary$51,391$94,207
Hourly rate$24.71$45.29
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,5555,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Plane captain vs aircraft pilot salary

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

Plane CaptainAircraft Pilot
Average salary$51,391$94,207
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $78,000Between $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 plane captain and aircraft pilot education

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

Plane CaptainAircraft Pilot
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Plane captain vs aircraft pilot demographics

Here are the differences between plane captains' and aircraft pilots' demographics:

Plane CaptainAircraft Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.2% 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 plane captain and aircraft pilot duties and responsibilities

Plane captain example responsibilities.

  • Train, direct, and manage firefighting crews, fire-rescue teams, and damage-control parties.
  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Experience operation of FMS, HGS, EFIS & GPS.
  • Clean exterior or interior of aircraft, using portable platform ladders, brushes, rags, water hose, and vacuum.
  • Experience in HAZMAT handling and storage.
  • Conduct FOD inspections of assign aircraft and surrounding areas
  • Show more

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.

Plane captain vs aircraft pilot skills

Common plane captain skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%
  • FOD, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 7%
  • Engine Oil, 6%
Common aircraft pilot skills
  • FAA, 38%
  • Airspace, 11%
  • Mission Planning, 8%
  • UAS, 8%
  • Army Aviation, 6%
  • Combat, 6%

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