9 of the Most Popular Types of Pilot Flying Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Pilot Flying jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Pilot Flying Jobs

• Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  Pilots operate aircraft, flying people and cargo all over the world. Their job duties vary, depending on their industry. They conduct pre-flight checks to ensure the plane is in good order, coordinate with air traffic control, and assess and adjust flight paths as needed. Commercial plots update passengers on commercial flights or transport products on cargo flights. Some may even perform specialized duties, such as crop dusting in the farming industry.

• Faa Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  Faa Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Faa 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 Faa Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Private Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  As a private pilot, you can use a private pilot license (PPL) to operate a non-commercial aircraft and fly yourself or passengers around. This is essentially the recreational level of flying, and private pilots often support community events through volunteer activities like taking children on short flights to help them experience the joy of flying. Private pilots are not allowed to charge passengers, transport freight for money, or perform any other tasks that could qualify as a job. To get paid for flying an aircraft, you need at least a commercial pilot's license, and many trainees obtain a private pilot license while working toward professional licensure.

• 350 Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  350 Pilot is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for 350 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 350 Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Pilot Flying J Oil Field

  Salary range: $81,500 - $129,500

  Pilot Flying J Oil Field is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Pilot Flying J Oil Field jobs pay between $81,500 (25th percentile) and $129,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Pilot Flying J Oil Field job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Weekend Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  A weekend pilot has similar job duties as pilots who work during the week. The primary difference is they work over the weekend. Your specific job duties vary, depending on the kind of plane you fly and if you are a commercial or cargo pilot. General responsibilities for commercial pilots include studying weather reports and schedules, evaluating the fuel load requirements, preparing the flight plan, ensuring safety for passengers, and checking all hardware for plane safety and navigation equipment. Cargo pilots discuss the goods being transported with the shipping company and clarify where the load needs to be delivered. They ensure the shipment has been loaded completely and is adequately secured, and delivers it on time when possible. Weekend pilots work Saturdays and Sundays, but may also have shifts on Fridays or Mondays.

• Airline Pilot

  Salary range: $71,000 - $102,000

  An airline pilot captains a commercial aircraft that carries passengers and cargo from one location to another. As an airline pilot, your duties include conducting pre-flight instrument checks, taxiing aircraft to and from airport gates and around runways, handling takeoffs and landings, and flying aircraft safely between destinations. To captain a plane, you must be capable and confident in your aviation abilities in any weather conditions and at all times of day and night.

• No Experience Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  No Experience Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for No Experience Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for No Experience Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• 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.