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Plane captain vs co pilot

The differences between plane captains and co 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 a co pilot. Additionally, a co pilot has an average salary of $93,703, 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 a co pilot are FAA, PIC, and flight operations.

Plane captain vs co pilot overview

Plane CaptainCo Pilot
Yearly salary$51,391$93,703
Hourly rate$24.71$45.05
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,5557,852
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Plane captain vs co pilot salary

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

Plane CaptainCo Pilot
Average salary$51,391$93,703
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $78,000Between $72,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between plane captain and co pilot education

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

Plane CaptainCo Pilot
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Plane captain vs co pilot demographics

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

Plane CaptainCo Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%
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, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between plane captain and co 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

Co pilot example responsibilities.

  • Lead performance analysis, plan test sequences, document test details, and liaise with engineers and FAA representatives.
  • Operate company-owned aircraft in compliance with all FAA regulations and international procedures.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Conduct pilot proficiency and standardization evaluations in both A320 aircraft and simulator.

Plane captain vs co pilot skills

Common plane captain skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%
  • FOD, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 7%
  • Engine Oil, 6%
Common co pilot skills
  • FAA, 44%
  • PIC, 40%
  • Flight Operations, 8%
  • SIC, 3%
  • ISR, 2%
  • Corporate Aircraft, 1%

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