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Private pilot vs aircraft pilot

The differences between private pilots 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 private pilot and an aircraft pilot. Additionally, a private pilot has an average salary of $100,673, which is higher than the $94,207 average annual salary of an aircraft pilot.

The top three skills for a private pilot include FAA, pilot license and single engine. The most important skills for an aircraft pilot are FAA, airspace, and mission planning.

Private pilot vs aircraft pilot overview

Private PilotAircraft Pilot
Yearly salary$100,673$94,207
Hourly rate$48.40$45.29
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs5,0135,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Private pilot vs aircraft pilot salary

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

Private PilotAircraft Pilot
Average salary$100,673$94,207
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $135,000Between $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 private pilot and aircraft pilot education

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

Private PilotAircraft Pilot
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeStanford UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Private pilot vs aircraft pilot demographics

Here are the differences between private pilots' and aircraft pilots' demographics:

Private PilotAircraft Pilot
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 private pilot and aircraft pilot duties and responsibilities

Private pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Complete FAA certify private private pilot training.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

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.

Private pilot vs aircraft pilot skills

Common private pilot skills
  • FAA, 59%
  • Pilot License, 31%
  • Single Engine, 10%
Common aircraft pilot skills
  • FAA, 38%
  • Airspace, 11%
  • Mission Planning, 8%
  • UAS, 8%
  • Army Aviation, 6%
  • Combat, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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