Is it worth getting a degree as a pilot?

Pilots who have degrees are more competitive candidates for in-demand positions with coveted airlines. Pilots who work with major airlines enjoy greater benefits, higher pay, and more. However, most major airlines won't even return calls from pilots who do not have at least a four-year degree.



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According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Airline Pilot with a Bachelor's Degree is $177,844 - $188,665. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

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Most airlines require 1,500 hours of experience before even considering a candidate. This can take several years to obtain, depending on the type of job you get initially. There are ways to fast-track your career, however, and no airline has the exact same hiring standards or process.

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An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.

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None of the airlines require a degree, none of them. However, all of the Majors do prefer one and having one will make you more competitive when it comes to moving up the ladder. In short you'll have no problems getting hired at a Regional but those with a degree will most likely get to a Major faster.

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Traditionally a pilot at a regional airline might start out earning less than $50,000 per year, but get hired on by a major airline and that goes up quickly into the six figures, and well over $300,000 for senior captains flying widebody aircraft overseas. Some earn over $400,000.

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  • Long and sometimes unpredictable hours. Pilots work different numbers of hours depending on several factors. ...
  • Training. You need a lot of training to be a pilot. ...
  • Flight school and training can be expensive. ...
  • Stress of the job.


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Job security and remuneration
In terms of job security, becoming a pilot is a very safe bet. With the world's ever-growing population, the demand for air travel will only increase. As a result, pilots will always have a job to go back to. According to the Boeing market outlook, by 2041, Europe will need 449,000 pilots.

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Yes, pilots are happy on average.
Most work for commercial airlines or as private pilots, and they fly passengers to destinations in many different regions and countries. This means most pilots have the opportunity to experience a wealth of culture from around the world.

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An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.

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Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

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These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.

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To fly as a commercial airline pilot, you will need 1500 hours of experience, which can be earned in two years. ATP's accelerated commercial pilot training programs provide a structured timeline and shorten the time it takes to gain experience and meet qualifications.

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Airline training programs require that you be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or GED credential. There are no requirements as to what classes you need to take in high school, but classes in math, science, geography and psychology can be useful.

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