Where are pilots in high demand?

Asia-Pacific. The rapid expansion of air travel in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by the growth of economies such as China and India, has created a substantial demand for pilots. The insufficiency is particularly acute in this region, with airlines facing challenges recruiting and retaining qualified 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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Austria. Austria has a strong economy, bustling tourism, and well-connected airports that ensure steady demand for pilots. Austria is one of the best countries to become a pilot.

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The demand for commercial airline travel rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the need for pilots and mechanics. But while the number of pilots has grown in recent years, there may not be enough of them to meet airlines' needs in the future. There also may not be enough mechanics to maintain airplanes.

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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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Currently, the airline industry is experiencing a shortage of around 30,000 commercial pilots, mechanics and air traffic controllers, which is contributing to airline delays and raising the cost of flights.

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An acute pilot shortage for major airlines including United, Delta, American and Southwest is forcing the industry to rethink how it trains pilots and recruits the next generation of aviation labor in the cockpit.

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Average Delta Air Lines Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $180,067, which is 171% above the national average. Salary information comes from 4 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

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How Much Is An Airline Pilot's Salary?
  • The bottom 25% earn up to $121,000 a year.
  • The middle 50% earn between $121,000 and $298,000 annually.
  • The top 25% earn between $298,000 and $768,000 annually.


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Here's a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for airline pilots.
  • California average airline pilot salary: $208,070.
  • Illinois average airline pilot salary: $194,810.
  • Colorado average airline pilot salary: $186,620.
  • Texas average airline pilot salary: $183,000.
  • Alaska average airline pilot salary: $171,030.


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Challenging Career Path 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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In order for the airlines to try and manage their business during the COVID-19 pandemic, they offered incentives to pilots for early retirement in the form of large monetary buyouts. Many pilots took this lucrative offer, and now these pilots cannot be quickly rehired by the airlines or easily replaced.

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Generally, if the flight is longer than eight hours, a third pilot (second officer) is required onboard. That requirement may vary slightly between operators. While some airlines require a third pilot for flights longer than seven hours, others may extend it to 10 hours.

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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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There are many studies and debates around whether pilots have a shorter life expectancy because of their occupation. According to a study in the U.S., the average life expectancy is 70 for males and 75 for females, while this drops to 67 for pilots.

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This year's graduating cadre of young cadets could possibly be the last to enjoy full, four-decade careers as traditional commercial airline pilots. By the time they are ready to retire, around 2060, pilot jobs as we currently know them will “start to become obsolete,” according to Richard de Crespigny.

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