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Commercial Pilots in Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Commercial Pilots in Virginia? Here’s what the data says. 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 Virginia?

For commercial pilots working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $115,490 per year.Earnings range from $55,740 at the 10th percentile to $226,420 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$55,740	n/a
25th percentile	$78,560	n/a
Median (50th)	$115,490	$0.00
75th percentile	$193,580	n/a
90th percentile	$226,420	n/a

The job concentration index in Virginia relative to the national average — is 0.81, suggesting fewer commercial pilots per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, commercial pilots earn a median of $43,713 per year ($21.02/hour), above the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 375,310 commercial pilots across the United States. In Virginia alone, around 1,110 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 commercial pilots.

Top Virginia Metros for Commercial Pilots

The metro areas below employ the most commercial pilots in Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	230	$78,560
Richmond, VA	140	$163,750

Top States for Commercial Pilots Employment

These states have the highest employment of 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

Important 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

Day-to-day, 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?

Related college programs include:

• Air Transportation

Related Careers

Careers similar 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