Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
SOC Code: 53-2011 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $428,958,400 | $647,718,240 | $866,480,160 | $1,085,240,000 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $422,510,400 | $643,420,960 | $864,329,440 | $1,085,240,000 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $393,099,200 | $623,812,800 | $854,526,400 | $1,085,240,000 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $393,764,800 | $624,255,840 | $854,748,960 | $1,085,240,000 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $415,292,800 | $637,401,440 | $859,512,160 | $1,081,620,800 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $283,254,400 | $534,497,600 | $785,740,800 | $1,036,984,000 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $426,171,200 | $618,315,360 | $810,457,440 | $1,002,601,600 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $424,944,000 | $617,150,560 | $809,355,040 | $1,001,561,600 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $424,216,000 | $616,553,600 | $808,891,200 | $1,001,228,800 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $422,988,800 | $615,118,400 | $807,248,000 | $999,377,600 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlines | 175 | $225,360 |
| Spirit Airlines | 110 | $186,767 |
| Frontier Airlines | 51 | $255,401 |
| Atlas Air, Inc. | 51 | $205,246 |
| PSA Airlines, Inc. | 49 | $258,642 |
| Allegiant Air, LLC | 31 | $122,366 |
| GoJet Airlines LLC | 31 | $232,804 |
| Red Wing Aeroplane, LLC | 27 | $129,649 |
| CommuteAir LLC | 26 | $152,668 |
| Air Transport International | 21 | $206,720 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | $85,577 |
| 2021 | 31 | $115,422 |
| 2022 | 78 | $136,317 |
| 2023 | 124 | $203,888 |
| 2024 | 303 | $210,179 |
| 2025 | 229 | $234,231 |
| 2026 | 34 | $268,501 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.9 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | |
| Monitoring | 4.1 | |
| Active Listening | 4.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Active Learning | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 4.8 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.7 |
| Geography | 3.7 |
| Mechanical | 3.7 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Physics | 3.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 61.0% |
| High school diploma | 18.2% |
| Less than high school | 8.0% |
| Associate's degree | 6.3% |
| Some college | 5.1% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 1.4% |
Typical Tasks
- Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
- Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word R AeroPlanner AirSmith FlightPrompt Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B Document Object Model DOM Scripting Electronic aircraft information databases IFT-Pro MJICCS PilotLog
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