Is there a pilot shortage?
Asked by: Hillary Hansen | Last update: September 5, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (39 votes)
A pilot shortage is impacting the aviation industry across the US. In the commercial sector, there will be a need for 5,400 more pilots in the US alone by 2032. Due to challenges like the FAA mandated retirement age for pilots, and the high cost of flight school, this shortage might be difficult to overcome.
Are pilots in demand right now?
Pilots are in high demand across the industry with a long term pilot shortage.
Is there still a pilot shortage in the USA in 2024?
In 2024, the pilot shortage estimate rose to approximately between 649,000-674,000 new pilots for 2024-2043, according to various industry reports. Here, factors like ongoing retirement, fragmented pilot training pipeline, and higher-than-expected air travel recovery post-pandemic played their part.
Are pilots in demand in 2024?
WILMINGTON, DE, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- PilotsGlobal, the leading platform for pilot-specific hiring, reported a noticeable decline in global pilot recruitment demand throughout 2024, with pilot job vacancies down by 9.2% in the eleven months ending November 2024 compared to the same period ...
Why have airlines stopped hiring pilots?
Carriers have cited a variety of reasons for their reduced hiring plans, ranging from changing business plans to Boeing delivery delays. Despite the overall slowdown in hiring, some airlines are still looking for new pilots.
Is The Pilot Shortage Over?
How serious is the pilot shortage?
The Scope of the Shortage
The pilot shortage is a global phenomenon affecting airlines across all regions. According to various industry reports, the aviation sector needs hundreds of thousands of new pilots over the next two decades to meet demand.
How much are pilots paid?
Annual Pilot Salary Range
According to the May 2023 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $113,080 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $239,200.
Is 37 too late to become a pilot?
The answer is no. While some airlines have an age requirement before you can fly a commercial flight, there's no age limit in wanting to become a pilot. Many think that at age 40, they have missed their opportunity to become a pilot.
Is it smart to become a pilot right now?
With the COVID-19 pandemic having subsided in most parts of the world, the aviation industry is already booming once again.
Will pilots be phased out?
The short answer is no, because there's still so much demand for flying. We are predicting a pilot shortage that will continue for the next 10 years."
Will pilots be needed in 20 years?
Pilot in demand for the next 20 years. With the world's increasing reliance on air travel, the demand for pilots is poised to surge over the next two decades. Projections indicate a need for an additional 82,000 pilots by 2032, marking a 50% escalation from current requirements.
How to fix the pilot shortage?
Reducing Training Cost
Subsidizing pilot training or offering scholarships could incentivize more individuals to take up aviation as a profession. Companies and governments could step in to invest in training programs and initiatives, thereby creating a larger pool of eligible pilots for hire.
How hard is it to become a pilot?
Starting with zero experience, it takes two and a half years to become an airline pilot. It will take you twelve months to complete pilot training, then another 18 months to gain additional flight time and meet airline hiring requirements of 1,500 hours.
Is pilot school hard?
One of the most significant challenges in becoming a pilot is the time commitment required. Training involves hundreds of hours of study, flight time, and exams. Balancing this with other responsibilities can be tough, but time management and dedication are key to success.
How much does a pilot earn?
Experience pilots who are first officers often earn between £36,000 and £48,000 in the UK. The starting pilot yearly salary of a captain ranges from £54,000 to £75,000. Pilots employed by larger airlines often earn around £97,000, sometimes reaching up to £140,000 and above.
Is pilot a saturated job?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for airline and commercial pilots is also growing at about four percent per year. They estimate that there are about 16,800 job openings for airline pilots every year, and there will be a need for 5,400 more pilots in the US alone by 2032.
How long does it take to make 100k as a pilot?
Some pilots will have the opportunity to upgrade to Captain in as little as 2-3 years which then increases the pilot salary to $100k-$150k. Since this is an hourly paid position, pilots have the opportunity to leverage their schedule to fly more hours and increase their pay.
Is it financially worth it to become a pilot?
If you're looking for a high-paying job, becoming an airline pilot career is a great option. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pilots earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year. That's pretty good money considering they only spend one-third of their time at work.
What is the hardest thing to become a pilot?
Many future pilots think the hardest part will be learning to fly the plane, but any certified pilot will tell you that the hard part is the bookwork. Like any kind of school, some students breeze through the bookwork while others struggle.
What age do airlines stop hiring pilots?
In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.
How much does it cost to become a pilot?
It costs $116,995 to become a pilot when starting with no previous experience or $86,995 when starting with a private pilot certificate. Both prices include the flight training and certification necessary to become a commercial pilot with flight instructor certificates.
Can a pilot make 500k?
The average Delta Air Lines pilot earns $201,178 with top-earners making $526,000. American Airlines pilots earn an average salary of $145,995, with some pilots earning in excess of $700,000. Most importantly, pilot salaries continue to increase. Even international airlines pay well.
What airline pays the most to fly?
- Atlas Air Worldwide. $285K - $450K. /yr. Airline Pilot United States.
- DHL Supply Chain. $242K - $412K. /yr. ...
- NetJets. 3.5. $235K - $419K. ...
- DHL. 3.9. $243K - $401K. ...
- EL AL. 3.5. $234K - $413K. ...
- Lufthansa Group. 3.9. $222K - $402K. ...
- Norwegian Air Shuttle. $221K - $398K. /yr. ...
- Southwest Airlines. $223K - $377K. /yr.