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Commercial Pilots in New Jersey
Want to work as a Commercial Pilots in New Jersey? Here’s what you need to know. Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots. Excludes “Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians” (17-3024).
What do Commercial Pilots Make in New Jersey?
State-level wage data is not available for this occupation in New Jersey. See the national figures below.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, commercial pilots earn a median of $43,713 per year ($21.02/hour).
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 375,310 commercial pilots nationwide. In New Jersey alone, around 790 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 commercial pilots.
Top New Jersey Metros for Commercial Pilots
These are the New Jersey metros with the most commercial pilots in New Jersey.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 60 | $160,550 |
Top States for Commercial Pilots Employment
The table below shows the states where the most commercial pilots work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Florida | 6,100 |
| California | 5,530 |
| Texas | 5,030 |
| Ohio | 3,850 |
| Alaska | 1,870 |
| Nevada | 1,590 |
| Minnesota | 1,540 |
| North Carolina | 1,470 |
| Michigan | 1,400 |
| Arizona | 1,330 |
| Colorado | 1,170 |
| Alabama | 1,140 |
| Virginia | 1,110 |
| New York | 1,070 |
| Washington | 1,060 |
| Tennessee | 1,020 |
| Illinois | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | 960 |
| Georgia | 920 |
| Louisiana | 880 |
Highest-Paying States for Commercial Pilots
Where commercial pilots earn the most: commercial pilots.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $227,140 |
| New York | $172,500 |
| Texas | $162,930 |
| Delaware | $155,640 |
| Georgia | $139,350 |
| Massachusetts | $137,150 |
| Maine | $134,990 |
| Nevada | $132,490 |
| Michigan | $130,560 |
| Florida | $130,530 |
Skills
Top commercial pilots skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for commercial pilots, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Commercial Pilots typically:
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
- Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
- Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
- Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to commercial pilots include:
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Avionics Technicians
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Also Known As
Advanced Air Mobility Operator (AAM Operator), Advanced Air Mobility Pilot (AAM Pilot), Advanced Air Mobility Technician (AAM Technician), Aerial Advertiser, Aerial Crop Duster, Aerial Hurricane Hunter, Aerial Sprayer, Agricultural Pilot, Air Ambulance Captain, Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot, Air Tour Pilot, Air Transport Pilot, Airplane Patroller, Airplane Pilot, Aviator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-2012.00