Qualifications to becoming a first officer include a high school diploma and the minimum requirements for earning an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) or Restricted ATP license. The requirements for this include completion of academic ground school, the FAA knowledge test, and the ATP Practical Test or Type Rating. Completing a Type Rating course opens more job opportunities, such as with airlines like Spirit and JetBlue. You must meet the FAA minimum age and flight hour requirements as well. You are expected to have a working knowledge of the equipment, FARs, Flight Operations Manual, Associate Handbook, and other policies. It is recommended that you continue your education to upgrade your performance and abilities.

If you are interested in a job related to First Officer, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of First Officer Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying First Officer positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Part 135 Pilot First Officer
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Part 135 Pilot First Officer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Part 135 Pilot First Officer jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Part 135 Pilot First Officer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
First Officer Pilot
Salary range: $40,000 - $85,500
On commercial flights, the first officer pilot is the second pilot on the plane. Your responsibilities in this career are to assist the captain to fly the plane. As the co-pilot, if the captain is incapacitated, you take command of the plane. On many flights, the first officer and the captain share the duties of piloting the plane, taking turns while the other one monitors controls and provides backup as needed. In commercial airline command structure, there is also a designation for the senior first officer, which is typically someone who qualifies as a captain, but the airline does not have enough flights to make that person a captain.
United Airlines First Officer
Salary range: $40,000 - $98,500
United Airlines First Officer is a typical job search query Most salaries for United Airlines First Officer jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for United Airlines First Officer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Restricted Atp
Salary range: $40,000 - $98,500
Restricted Atp is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Restricted Atp jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Restricted Atp job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Atr 72 500 Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Atr 72 500 Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Atr 72 500 Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Atr 72 500 Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Freelance Challenger 300 Pilot
Salary range: $39,000 - $39,000
Freelance Challenger 300 Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Freelance Challenger 300 Pilot jobs pay between $39,000 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Freelance Challenger 300 Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Flexible Citation X Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Flexible Citation X Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Flexible Citation X Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Flexible Citation X Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
On Call Pilot Sic Helicopter
Salary range: $90,000 - $112,000
On Call Pilot Sic Helicopter is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for On Call Pilot Sic Helicopter jobs pay between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for On Call Pilot Sic Helicopter job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Private Equity Compliance Officer
Salary range: $61,500 - $115,000
Private Equity Compliance Officer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Private Equity Compliance Officer jobs pay between $61,500 (25th percentile) and $115,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Private Equity Compliance Officer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Aviation Medical Officer
Salary range: $84,500 - $84,500
Aviation Medical Officer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Aviation Medical Officer jobs pay between $84,500 (25th percentile) and $84,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Aviation Medical Officer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs First Officer Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of First Officer Jobs in 2026