Job Outlook: Pilots

Regional airlines and low-cost carriers will present the best opportunities; Flight school graduates attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition. Employment of aircraft pilots is projected to grow 13 percent from 2006 to 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Job prospects. Job opportunities are expected to continue to be better with the regional airlines and low-cost carriers, which are growing faster than the major airlines. Opportunities with air cargo carriers also should rise. Business, corporate, and on-demand air taxi travel also should provide some new jobs for pilots.

Pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition, as those firms tend to attract many more applicants than the number of job openings.

Earnings of aircraft pilots vary greatly depending whether they work as airline or commercial pilots. Earnings of airline pilots are among the highest in the Nation, and depend on factors such as the type, size, and maximum speed of the plane and the number of hours and miles flown. In May 2006, median annual earnings of airline pilots, and copilots, were $141,090.

Median annual earnings of commercial pilots were $57,480 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,780 and $83,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $115,220.

For more info - Aircraft Pilots Stats

Job Outlook: Aircraft and Avionics Mechanics

Job growth for aircraft mechanics and aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) is expected to be about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be favorable for people who have completed an aircraft mechanic training program, but keen competition is likely for jobs at major airlines.

Employment change. Employment is expected to increase by 10 percent during the 2006-16 period, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Most job openings for aircraft mechanics through the year 2016 will stem from the need to replace the many AMTs expected to retire over the next decade.

Also contributing to favorable future job opportunities for aircraft mechanics is the long-term trend toward fewer students entering technical schools to learn skilled maintenance and repair trades. If this trend continues, the supply of trained aviation mechanics may not keep up with the needs of the air transportation industry.

Median hourly earnings of aircraft mechanics and service technicians were about $22.95 in May 2006.

Aircraft mechanics who work on jets for the major airlines generally earn more than those working on other aircraft. AMTs who graduate from an aircraft mechanic school often earn higher starting salaries than individuals who receive training in the Armed Forces or on the job. Airline mechanics and their immediate families receive reduced-fare transportation on their own and most other airlines.

For more info - Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians Stats

Job Outlook: Air Traffic Controller

Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2006 to 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Increasing air traffic will require more air traffic controllers to handle the additional work.

Job prospects. Most job opportunities are expected as the result of replacement needs from workers leaving the occupation. The majority of today’s air traffic controllers will be eligible to retire over the next decade, although not all are expected to do so.

Air traffic controllers who continue to meet the proficiency and medical requirements enjoy more job security than do most workers. Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits. Median annual earnings of air traffic controllers in May 2006 were $117,240.

For more info - Air Traffic Controller Labor Stats