A certificate or short program is the usual way in.
Postsecondary nondegree award
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work as a commercial pilot
Programs that lead to this job
These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this
occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding
credentials in each.
Program
Code
Schools
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
How long does it take to become a commercial pilot?
Typically a few months to two years for the certificate, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do commercial pilots make?
The US median is $123,220 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a commercial pilot?
Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train to become a commercial pilot?
104 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →
Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work,
your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education
requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.
Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment
Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018).
School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.