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Plane captain vs pilot instructor

The differences between plane captains and pilot instructors 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 pilot instructor. Additionally, a pilot instructor has an average salary of $90,143, 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 pilot instructor are FAA, simulator, and instructor pilot.

Plane captain vs pilot instructor overview

Plane CaptainPilot Instructor
Yearly salary$51,391$90,143
Hourly rate$24.71$43.34
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,55526,978
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Plane captain vs pilot instructor salary

Plane captains and pilot instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plane CaptainPilot Instructor
Average salary$51,391$90,143
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $78,000Between $60,000 And $133,000
Highest paying City-Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-OBXtek
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between plane captain and pilot instructor education

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

Plane CaptainPilot Instructor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Plane captain vs pilot instructor demographics

Here are the differences between plane captains' and pilot instructors' demographics:

Plane CaptainPilot Instructor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
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, 7.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between plane captain and pilot instructor 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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Pilot instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a wide variety of stock, including ammunition and high-value items.
  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Single pilot IFR certify SA-365.
  • Perform air refueling, airlift, navigation, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
  • Specialize in teaching instrument skills to experience clients seeking additional certification such as ATP.
  • Ensure quality, delivery, budget and environmental objectives are met and fulfill HQ directions.
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Plane captain vs pilot instructor skills

Common plane captain skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%
  • FOD, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 7%
  • Engine Oil, 6%
Common pilot instructor skills
  • FAA, 12%
  • Simulator, 11%
  • Instructor Pilot, 7%
  • Aircraft Systems, 6%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 6%

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