Pilot Jobs in the United States

Pilot Jobs: Overview

The life of a pilot doesn’t just involve flying the friendly skies. Sure, pilots spend about 75 hours per month transporting people and things from point A to point B. But they spend another 150 hours planning flights, checking overall aircraft conditions, and tracking the weather. If you’re looking for a career outside of the typical 9-to-5 and like to travel, you may want to look for pilot jobs.

The typical duties of a pilot include:

• checking aircraft conditions before and after taking flight.
• ensuring that aircraft is balanced and doesn’t exceed its weight limit.
• making sure aircraft has adequate fuel.
• keeping track of weather conditions.
• using radio equipment to communicate with air traffic control.
• operating, controlling, and navigating aircraft during take-off, landing, and controlled routes.
• monitoring fuel consumption, engines, and other aircraft during flight.
• responding to unexpected emergencies and changing weather conditions.

Want to expand your transportation job search? Check out these similar positions:

• airline jobs
• aviation jobs
• corporate pilot jobs

Pilot Job Education and Skills

Before you get your wings, you’ll need a 2- to 4-year aviation degree from an accredited college or post-secondary school. The coursework should cover aircraft operations and maintenance, laws and regulations, and a variety of other aviation-related subjects.

Then, you must obtain your FAA-issued license and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. To be eligible for ATP certification, you must be at least 23 years old, complete 1,500 of flight school, have a good instrument rating, and hold a commercial pilot license.

Once you’ve obtained the required credentials, you’ll need to pass an employment screening and complete on-the-job pilot training to be considered for a pilot job.

But just being able to fly a plane is not enough. The key qualities employers look for in pilots include:

• the ability to communicate and listen carefully for instructions.
• keen observational skills and situational awareness.
• problem-solving skills.
• a quick reaction time and decisiveness.
• the ability to remain calm.

You can learn more about how to become a pilot in our article outlining all the necessary steps.

Update Your Pilot Resume

Whether you’ve put in thousands of miles in the sky or are just entering the profession, potential employers will be interested in which skills you bring to the cockpit. Monster can show you how to choose the right skills for your resume. Then, check out our pilot resume sample and consider getting a free resume review from our career experts.

Many employers in the aviation industry will require a cover letter when you apply. Our pilot cover letter sample can show you how to create a compelling opening paragraph, discuss your professional background, and express your passion for the job.

Interviewing for Pilot Jobs

The job interview is your final chance to make a smooth landing into a pilot job. To be considered as a top candidate, you’ll need to perform your best. Be sure to dress professionally, use nonverbal communication, be a good listener, and ask your own questions. A hiring manager may ask you a slew of basic and behavioral interview questions with some occasional curveballs. Learn how to navigate them by practicing your answers in a mock interview.

How Much Do Pilot Jobs Pay?

Pilots earn a median yearly salary between $41,208 and $92,398. But where your salary lands will depend on how many miles you’ve flown and where your job is based. You can get an estimate of your future salary by searching your job title and location on Monster’s Salary Calculator.

Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?

Each airline has its own unique corporate culture. If you have a certain aviation company in mind, we encourage you to find out if they’re the right fit for you. Monster’s company profiles tool lets you get a glimpse of an employer’s history and values.

When you search using this tool, you may find the following details:

• company size.
• company mission statements.
• job openings.
• photos and videos.

Ready for Take-Off? Create Your Profile Today!

Now that you know how to find pilot jobs, grab hold of the tiller and steer your way to a new job. To get started, just set up your profile and click on aviation positions that interest you. Once you’ve signed up, you can take advantage of free job alerts sent right to your email. Plus, we’ll make your resume visible to job recruiters in the aviation industry who can help your career take off!