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Commercial Pilot

Commercial and airline pilots operate fixed-wing aircraft for passenger and cargo transport, flight instruction, aerial surveying, charter services, and other commercial operations. Florida is one of the world's premier aviation training hubs — home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, ATP Flight School's largest training base, and dozens of flight schools. The ongoing global pilot shortage has created the strongest pilot demand and compensation environment in aviati...

FL Median Salary
$109,600
Entry Salary
$50,000
Experienced
$300,000
FL Growth
N/A

Requirements & Training

  • Credential: FAA PPL + Instrument Rating + Commercial Certificate + Multi-Engine Rating; ATP Certificate (1,500 hrs) for airline captain
  • Florida license required: Yes (FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) — no separate FL state license)

Career Path

  1. Student Pilot
  2. Private Pilot
  3. Commercial Pilot
  4. CFI/CFII
  5. Regional First Officer
  6. Regional Captain
  7. Major Airline Captain (ATP)

Top Florida Employers

American Airlines (Miami/Fort Lauderdale)United AirlinesSpirit Airlines (Miramar HQ)JetBlue (Fort Lauderdale)Silver AirwaysATP Flight SchoolEmbry-Riddle flight training

Related Programs

  • Aviation Science BS (Embry-Riddle)
  • Professional Flight Technology AS
  • Aeronautics BS
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Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Florida Occupational Employment Statistics. School data from Florida Department of Education CIE database.

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