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Career Profile

Commercial Pilots

What they do:

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.

Also Called:

Captain, Charter Pilot, Check Airman, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Pilot, EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot), First Officer, Helicopter Pilot, Line Pilot, Pilot, Captain, Charter Pilot, Check Airman, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Pilot, EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot), First Officer, Helicopter Pilot, Line Pilot, Pilot

MO Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$50,790
Starting Salary (2025)
$102,990
Median Salary (2025)
5.1%
Projected Job Growth
670
MO Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Self-Control
Stress Tolerance
Initiative

What key skills are needed for this job?

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Judgment and Decision Making

Expected Knowledge

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Common Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 3

Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Bachelor's degree 28%
  • Post-secondary certificate 25%
  • High school diploma 23%
  • Associate's degree 17%
  • Master's degree 3%
  • Other 4%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Air Traffic Controllers
Airfield Operations Specialists
Aviation Inspectors
Locomotive Engineers

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.