Are pilots in demand 2023?

The aviation industry has been grappling with a significant pilot shortage after the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020 and continued into 2021 and beyond, with no exception in 2023.



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In 2023, 712 American pilots will reach retirement age. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association anticipates 85 pilots will retire in 2023.

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The Sky's the Limit: The Growing Demand for Pilots
Boeing's 2022 Pilot & Technician Outlook forecasts a need for 626,000 new pilots by 2040, as airlines and operators continue to expand their fleets and networks. This impressive figure highlights the ample opportunities that lie ahead for current and aspiring pilots.

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According to the Regional Airline Association, nearly 50% of today's qualified pilots must retire in the next 15 years, creating a high demand for pilots.

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Robotic pilots will probably take the position of human pilots, although a human pilot will still be needed to control the aircraft. AI or Robots can replace a pilot, but when? Aviation technology applications are not always created with human interaction in mind.

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Despite the short-term decline in the number of active pilots, analysis shows that the civil aviation industry will require more than 260,000 new pilots over the next decade. As air travel resumes progressively over the next several years, the industry will experience upward mandatory retirement and attrition rates.

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But the need for pilots in general is growing. The Academy of Aviation estimates over 800,000 pilots will be needed over the next 20 years.

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The industry is growing more rapidly than the current rate can meet. Becoming a pilot now puts you at an advantage when that demand is truly here. You'll have seniority and be in demand meaning you'll have a sky full of opportunities!

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We now anticipate a peak shortfall in 2026 of about 24,000 pilots instead of a peak of close to 30,000 once predicted in the wake of COVID-19 early retirements. That still represents about 23% of the pilot workforce, so the problem is far from eliminated.

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Consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates that despite efforts to close the gap, airlines in North America will face a shortage of nearly 30,000 pilots by 2032. The supply of new pilots will grow, but not enough to offset a continuing wave of retirements, the consultant says. There is cause for hope, however.

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2025 – 34,000 pilots shortage
More than 34,000 newly trained pilots needed by 2025. The FAA predicts that air travel demand will continue to grow at a rate of 4.3 percent per year, even as more than 4,100 pilots per year retire in the US alone.

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Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

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The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which reauthorizes funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years, includes an amendment that would raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67.

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In the current estimate for 2021-2040, over the next two decades 612,000 new pilots will be required worldwide, with 130,000 of these in North America, primarily the U.S.. Expectations are similar for other staff in the aviation industry such as mechanics and cabin crew, as the whole market expands.

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In March, Delta approved a contract that increases wages 34 percent by 2026 and includes improvements to scheduling, retirement and other benefits. Delta's deal raised the standard for pilot compensation and benefits.

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The wages are high. If you're looking for a high-paying job, becoming an airline pilot career is a great option. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pilots earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year.

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Getting a job as an airline pilot can take time. However, depending on how the aviation industry looks and if your pilot school links with partner airlines, it can be a quick process.

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In any case, the position is a rare privilege in the US, with commercial pilots accounting for just 0.05% of the population. With this in mind, how exactly can you join this rare club? Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

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Leading companies like Wisk (in partnership with Boeing) are designing autonomous eVTOL (electric Vertical TakeOff & Landing) aircraft that can be certified for use without an onboard pilot. Despite people's comfort with self-flying planes, we're still many years away from seeing fully automated passenger aircraft.

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