Career: Airplane Pilot
Average salary: Airline pilots: $141,090. Commercial pilots: $57,480.
Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
Certifications: FAA licensure is required for pilots who are paid to transport passengers or cargo; commercial pilot’s license is required for all pilots
Scholarships: Apply online
Common employers: Commercial airlines, private airlines, cargo transportation companies, flight schools, large business or corporations and air-taxi companies
Job outlook: Average job growth, strong competition at major airlines
Common duties may include:
Skills needed:
YourBeanstalk’s Opinion: Women pilots are becoming more and more common. Most pilots start out as flight engineers or co-pilots, and need to understand the engineering of most aircraft to do their job well. So while flying does have its technical side, there is also an art to it – particularly in the take-off and landing. Piloting does require you be away from home for long periods of time, so it may not be the best career for working mothers or single moms. However, a married or single woman who is in love with flying will love this career.
