Corporate Pilot Salary

Corporate pilots fly aircraft for big companies and ferry company executives from one place to other. The salary has a variable range as it mostly depends on the location of the job, experience of the pilot and the type of aircraft they will be flying. The recent economic crisis has seen the market for commercial airline pilots dwindle, so most pilots are looking at big corporations for employment.

Most companies who look to hire pilots will look for a bachelor's degree and most times it doesn't matter what kind it is. In addition to the degree, they check for appropriate ratings and a commercial pilot license. Candidates with good interpersonal skills stand a good chance for gainful employment as corporate pilots are required to interact with their passengers. Those having a degree in aeronautical science or related fields will also have an added advantage when seeking airline jobs.

Education and Job Description

Aspirants wanting to pursue the corporate pilots profession first need to enroll themselves in a flight school. They are required to log in over 1,500 hours of flying time and over 40 hours of instrument flying time to be eligible for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license exam. The FAA exam consists of a written paper and practical demonstration of flying techniques.

The job description involves flying corporate executives and management people to desired locations. Corporate pilot jobs also entail registering flight plans, communicating with control tower, look into the maintenance of the plane and also communicating with administrative staff. Due to the nature of the work they also have to interact with the passengers and address passenger queries and issues. The nature of the work also depends on the employer but there aren't much discrepancies in the general job profile of flying aircraft.

Average Salary

According to a survey, the average salary of a pilot ranges between USD 30,000 to USD 65,000 annually. The prevailing economic conditions have also contributed to the pilot salary graph and they are making comparatively less salaries than what they were making before the economic downturn.

Like most salary ranges for jobs, the salary also depends on the location of the job. Statistics reveal that pilots working in states like California earn around USD 85,000 per year. In states like New York the average salaries are known to reach the USD 95,000 annually mark. The corporate pilot pay packets also depends heavily on the kind of aircraft they are requisitioned to fly. A pilot flying a small aircraft will get lower wages than the one flying bigger and technically advanced jets. Pilots working from rural settings will also get comparatively lower salaries than their counterparts based in outside urban areas.

Another important aspect of the salary range is the professional experience of the candidate. Pilots with more than ten years of experience and working on the position of a captain can earn salaries upwards of USD 120,000 annually. On the other hand pilots, who are just starting out in the aviation industry can expect to earn salaries that hover around the USD 40,000 mark. The financial size of the employer also plays a major role in dictating salary ranges for pilots. All these factors play a vital role when it comes to calculating the average salary of a corporate pilot.

Some individuals also get allowances up and above the salary known as 'per diem'. This allowance can range between USD 1-3 per hour and is paid to pilots when they are away from home. The profession of a corporate pilot is also exciting as many of them get to fly movie stars, sporting personalities and musicians across the world.