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Plane captain vs commercial pilot

The differences between plane captains and commercial 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 commercial pilot. Additionally, a commercial pilot has an average salary of $94,406, 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 commercial pilot are FAA, flight operations, and pilot-in-command.

Plane captain vs commercial pilot overview

Plane CaptainCommercial Pilot
Yearly salary$51,391$94,406
Hourly rate$24.71$45.39
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,55529,118
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Plane captain vs commercial pilot salary

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

Plane CaptainCommercial Pilot
Average salary$51,391$94,406
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $78,000Between $63,000 And $139,000
Highest paying City-Jackson, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Realty World California
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between plane captain and commercial pilot education

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

Plane CaptainCommercial Pilot
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Plane captain vs commercial pilot demographics

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

Plane CaptainCommercial Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between plane captain and commercial 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
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Commercial pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Instruct pilots in recurrent flight training and grind school for aircraft systems, FAA regulations, company policies and procedures.
  • Grind school, IFR and advance simulator training.
  • Monitor and ensure compliance with establish policies, directives, and FAA operation specifications.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Arm airborne helicopter escort and SAR operations.
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Plane captain vs commercial pilot skills

Common plane captain skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%
  • FOD, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 7%
  • Engine Oil, 6%
Common commercial pilot skills
  • FAA, 24%
  • Flight Operations, 12%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 11%
  • PIC, 11%
  • Flight Planning, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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