Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
SOC Code: 53-2011
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers carries a 64% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $226,600 and +3.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 100,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 64% AI exposure, Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers sits 27 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 96% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers has ai exposure of 64%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers (SOC 53-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 64%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 100,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.9% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $226,600, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- 2. Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- 3. Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- 4. Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- 5. Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- 6. Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
- 7. Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
- 8. Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
- 9. Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
- 10. Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Time Management
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Physics
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers has an AI exposure score of 64%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is projected to grow by 3.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 100,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
Key skills for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn?
The median annual wage for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $226,600, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
The typical entry-level education for Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).