What it is
Aviation & professional flight prepares students to become pilots and aviation professionals — combining a degree with intensive flight training and FAA certifications. Airline piloting is among the highest-paid careers, though it requires a significant training investment and flight hours.
Key note: becoming a pilot requires FAA certifications and flight hours (private, instrument, commercial, and — for airlines — the ATP with 1,500 hours), not just a degree. Training is expensive but leads to strong, well-paid demand.
What you'll study
Programs combine aviation study with flight training:
- GroundAerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, aviation regulations, and safety
- FlightProgressive FAA ratings (private → instrument → commercial → CFI)
- AdvancedMulti-engine, crew resource management, and building flight hours
- CareerOften building hours as a flight instructor toward the ATP
Concentrations & focus areas
- Professional Pilot / AirlineCommercial aviation
- Corporate / CharterBusiness aviation
- Flight InstructionTeaching (builds hours)
- Cargo / FreightAir cargo
- Aviation ManagementOperations
- Air Traffic / DispatchGround operations
Skills you'll build
- Flight skillsPiloting aircraft
- Aviation knowledgeWeather, navigation, systems
- Decision-makingSafety under pressure
- CertificationsFAA ratings
- DisciplinePrecision & procedures
Careers & job titles
- Airline pilotCommercial airlines ($239,200+)
- Commercial pilotCharter, cargo, corporate
- Flight instructor (CFI)Teaching (hour-building)
- Corporate pilotBusiness aviation
- Aviation managerOperations
- Chief pilot / captainWith experience
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects airline and commercial pilots to grow faster than average, driven by travel demand and a wave of retirements creating a pilot shortage. Demand is strong, and airline pay is high — after the training and hour-building investment.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, airline pilots are among the highest-paid workers (median $239,200+, with actual figures higher at major airlines). Regional and entry pilots earn less initially; pay rises sharply with seniority. Commercial (non-airline) pilots earn less than airline captains.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's (often required by major airlines) plus FAA certifications and flight hours (ATP for airlines) is the path. Flight training is a significant investment.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you love flying, handle responsibility and procedure well, and are prepared to invest in training and hour-building.
Big picture: aviation offers very high pay and strong demand at the airline level — but requires significant training cost and flight hours first. Many build hours as flight instructors on the way up.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusPiloting & aviation careers
- PathDegree + FAA certifications + flight hours (ATP)
- CareersAirline/commercial pilot, flight instructor, aviation manager
- OutlookFaster than average; pilot shortage (BLS)
- PayAirline pilots $239,200+ (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: