10 of the Most Popular Types of Commercial Pilot Jobs in 2026
See what kind of roles similar to Commercial Pilot jobs are hiring now
The qualifications that you need to become a commercial pilot include a pilot’s license, demonstrable flying skills, and experience in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Some earn flying experience in the military, but you can also attend an FAA-certified flight school. To work for a commercial airline, you need at least 1,500 hours of commercial flight time and an FAA Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certification. You must also have a commercial pilot license and instrument ratings that allow you to fly different aircraft.
If you are interested in a job related to Commercial Pilot, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.
Top Types Of Commercial Pilot Jobs
Night Cargo Pilot
Salary range: $34,000 - $43,000
A night cargo pilot flies a cargo plane to deliver evening mail, packages, freight, and other goods. As a night cargo pilot, you transport time-sensitive material overnight. Your responsibilities include ensuring the safety of the cargo, plane, crew members before, during, and after flights. Other duties include keeping written records of flight plans, cargo type, and plane maintenance issues. As a night cargo pilot, your navigation skills must be impeccable. You sometimes fly in bad weather, so you must be able to deal with adverse conditions. You may sometimes be away from home for long periods.
Airbus Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Airbus Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Airbus Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Airbus Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
International Helicopter Pilot
Salary range: $90,000 - $112,000
As an international helicopter pilot, your duties include flying a helicopter abroad or flying passengers on international routes—your responsibilities vary depending on where you operate and the reason for your flying. A commercial helicopter pilot flies passengers in a foreign country or between countries. Other pilots fly overseas for purposes such as surveying, security, or equipment transportation. Some pilots fly passengers on tours at popular tourist destinations. As a private pilot, you may work for a specific client or fly employees of a business or organization.
Skydive Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Skydive Pilot is a common job search query. Most salaries for Skydive Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Skydive Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Northern Air Cargo Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Northern Air Cargo Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Northern Air Cargo Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Northern Air Cargo Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Full Time 1500 Hour Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Full Time 1500 Hour Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Full Time 1500 Hour Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Full Time 1500 Hour Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Urgently Hiring Nasa Helicopter Pilot
Salary range: $90,000 - $112,000
Urgently Hiring Nasa Helicopter Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Urgently Hiring Nasa Helicopter Pilot jobs pay between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Urgently Hiring Nasa Helicopter Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Seasonal International Helicopter Pilot
Salary range: $90,000 - $112,000
Seasonal International Helicopter Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Seasonal International Helicopter Pilot jobs pay between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Seasonal International Helicopter Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Full Time Aircraft Ferry Pilot
Salary range: $71,000 - $102,000
Full Time Aircraft Ferry Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Full Time Aircraft Ferry Pilot jobs pay between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $102,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Full Time Aircraft Ferry Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Trip Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Trip Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Trip Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Trip Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.