Pilot job market / Airline
The airline pilot job market
Airline pilots fly scheduled passenger service. At Part 121 regional and major airlines, every pilot on the flight deck needs an airline transport pilot certificate, and many pilots start their airline careers at a regional.
Many airlines also run pathway programs for instructors and other pilots who are still building time. The numbers below reflect the airline listings on USA Pilot Jobs today.
What employers ask for
Minimum flight hours
Total flight time required. 5 of 11 listings state one.
- Under 2500
- 250–4990
- 500–9990
- 1,000–1,4990
- 1,500 or more5
- Not stated6
Certificates required
Share of listings that name each one.
- ATP82%
- First-class medical73%
- Instrument45%
- Multi-engine45%
- Commercial18%
By career stage
Listings grouped by the minimum hours they state, with the certificates asked for most often at each stage.
ATP level5 listings
1,500 hours or more
First-class medical, ATP, Instrument
Pay in current listings
7 of 11 airlinelistings state pay as a figure or range. Each counts at the midpoint of its range, and the middle half leaves out the highest and lowest quarter so one unusual listing doesn't skew it.
Annual salary
$92k–$176k/yr
Middle half · median $131k/yr · 5 listings
Aircraft in current listings
- ATR 2
- CRJ 2
- ERJ 2
- 208 Caravan 1
- Cessna 172 1
- Cessna 208 Caravan 1
- CRJ200 1
- Piper Navajo 1
Where the jobs are
Current airline listings by state. Each state page covers its openings in every category, its aviation employers and its flying clubs.
The most recent listings
- AirlineFull-time
First Officer
- State
- Texas
- Minimum hours
- 1,500+ hours
- Pay
- $89k – $94k/yr
- ATP
- Instrument
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
- AirlineFull-time
Airline Pilot
- State
- Texas
- Minimum hours
- 1,500+ hours
- Pay
- $138k – $214k/yr
- ATP
- Instrument
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Airline
Airline Pilot
- State
- Hawaii
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- $270 – $407/hr
- ATP
- Multi-engine
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
- AirlineLow-timeFull-time
Airline Pilot
- State
- Alaska
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- Commercial
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
- AirlineFull-time
Airline Pilot
- State
- Alaska
- Minimum hours
- 1,500+ hours
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- Commercial
- Instrument
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Airline
First Officer
- State
- Hawaii
- Minimum hours
- 1,500+ hours
- Pay
- $84 – $284/hr
- ATP
- Multi-engine
- First-class medical
Employer, town and apply link for members
Before you apply
- Part 121 first officers need an ATP certificate, which may be a restricted ATP. Captains need an unrestricted ATP and 1,000 hours in qualifying roles, such as first officer at a Part 121 airline.
- An unrestricted airplane ATP requires 1,500 hours of total time as a pilot.
- A restricted ATP (multi-engine airplane) is available at 750 hours to qualifying military pilots, and at 1,000 or 1,250 hours to graduates of FAA-authorized aviation degree programs.
- Smaller commuter airlines fly under Part 135, where captains of multi-engine airplanes also need an unrestricted airline transport pilot certificate; a restricted ATP doesn't qualify for that seat.
Check your own restricted-ATP minimum with the R-ATP calculator.
Other kinds of flying
Frequently asked questions
How many airline pilot jobs are open right now?+
11 listings are active on USA Pilot Jobs, 11 of them added in the last 30 days. The count is refreshed daily as listings are added and expire.
How many flight hours do current airline pilot listings ask for?+
Among the 5 listings that state a minimum total time, the median is 1,500 hours. 0 ask for fewer than 500 hours and 5 for 1,500 or more.
What do current airline pilot listings pay?+
Across the 5 listings that state annual salary, the middle half runs from about $92k to $176k/yr, with a median of $131k/yr. Each listing counts at the midpoint of its stated range.
Which states have the most airline pilot openings?+
Current listings are spread across 5 states. The most are in Tennessee, Alaska and Hawaii.
Why doesn't this page show the employer or an apply link?+
Job listings are for members. On the board, every listing shows the employer, the location, the full requirements and a link to apply on the employer's own site. Membership costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year.
Every airline pilot listing, in full
Members see the employer, location and full requirements for each opening, with the ones their hours and ratings already meet marked.
Browse pilot jobsNo contracts · You apply on the employer's own site