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.

Corporate Pilot First Officer
Salary range: $81,500 - $129,500
Corporate pilot first officers are second-in-command to the captain on a private corporate flight. The aircraft may be owned by a business to transport its executives to events and other offices, or you may work for a flight company that flies private parties from one location to another. As a corporate pilot first officer, you assist the captain with completing pre- and post-flight preparation, including checking the aircraft to ensure it is fueled up properly, all the equipment and safety features have been confirmed, and all the baggage has been loaded. You may also greet passengers as they board and perform other duties assigned to you by the 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.
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.
Junior First Officer Pilot
Salary range: $36,000 - $57,500
Junior First Officer Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior First Officer Pilot jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $57,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior First Officer Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Airline Pilot First Officer
Salary range: $71,000 - $102,000
Airline Pilot First Officer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Airline Pilot First Officer jobs pay between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $102,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Airline 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.
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.
Commercial Pilot
Salary range: $38,500 - $54,500
The duties of a commercial pilot involve flying an airplane or helicopter for commercial purposes. Your responsibilities in this career may involve operating aircraft flights that carry passengers or cargo. As a commercial pilot, you can work for a commercial airline, a charter service, or another type of company that offers commercial airplane services. You are responsible for ensuring the plane is safe, fueled, and supplied before takeoff. You must also submit a flight plan and ensure you have the proper clearance.
Breeze Airways Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Breeze Airways Pilot is a common job search query. Most salaries for Breeze Airways Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Breeze Airways Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Gulfstream G200 Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Gulfstream G200 Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Gulfstream G200 Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Gulfstream G200 Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Icao Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Icao Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Icao Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Icao Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

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