Pilot: FAA certificates from private to commercial, 250 hours, then 1,500 hours for the ATP
Pilots climb a ladder of FAA certificates: student, private, instrument rating, commercial (at least 250 flight hours), multi-engine and finally the airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, usually 1,500 hours and age 23. Airline pilots typically also have a bachelor's degree; an aviation degree or military flying can lower the ATP hours.
For: Calm decision-makers with good vision, clear communication and a real love of flying.
Route 1: Flight school: private → instrument → commercial → ATP Typical
The FAA certifies hundreds of civilian flight schools, from small fixed base operators to state universities. Each certificate and rating needs a knowledge test and a practical check ride.
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Start here
Student pilot certificate
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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License
Private pilot certificate
At least 40 hours of flight time, including 20 with an instructor and 10 solo.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.109: Private pilot aeronautical experienceeCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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License
Instrument rating
At least 40 hours of instrument time and 50 hours of cross-country flight as pilot in command.
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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License
Commercial pilot certificate
At least 250 hours as a pilot, including 100 as pilot in command; medical exam (vision correctable to 20/20).
eCFR
14 CFR 61.129: Commercial pilot aeronautical experienceeCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Build hours
Multi-engine rating; flight instructor or charter pilot
Many pilots earn a flight instructor certificate to build flight time.
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate
Including 500 hours cross-country, 100 night and 75 instrument; written and practical exams.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.159: ATP aeronautical experience, airplane categoryeCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
Airline first officer
Then aircraft type ratings through employer training; promotion follows seniority.
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Private pilot age
- At least 17 for airplanes (16 for gliders or balloons).
eCFR
14 CFR 61.103: Private pilot eligibility requirementseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Commercial pilot age
- At least 18.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.123: Commercial pilot eligibility requirementseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- ATP age
- At least 23 (21 with restricted privileges).
eCFR
14 CFR 61.153: Airline transport pilot eligibility requirementseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 2: Aviation degree → restricted ATP at 1,000 hours R-ATP
A bachelor's degree with an aviation major from a school the FAA has authorized, 60 credit hours of aviation coursework and a commercial certificate with instrument rating earned in its part 141 program.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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4 years
FAA-authorized bachelor's with an aviation major
Some colleges offer pilot training within a 2- or 4-year aviation degree.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.160: ATP aeronautical experience, restricted privilegeseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Restricted ATP (age 21)
1,250 hours with an authorized associate degree.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.160: ATP aeronautical experience, restricted privilegeseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
Airline first officer
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 3: Military pilot → airline 750 hours
Military pilots may transfer to civilian aviation and apply directly to airlines.
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Start here
U.S. Armed Forces pilot training
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Restricted ATP for U.S. military pilots
With a DD-214 (or current service record) and proof of graduating from military undergraduate pilot training.
eCFR
14 CFR 61.160: ATP aeronautical experience, restricted privilegeseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
Airline pilot
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Aircraft type ratings
FAA · usually through employer training · Federal license - Needed to fly specific aircraft such as the Boeing 737; generally earned by pilots with at least a commercial certificate.
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Flight instructor certificate
FAA · Federal license - Many commercial pilots get one to build flight time and experience at less personal expense.
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
State rules
Pilot certificates are federal: the FAA issues them, and the same rules apply in every state. Pilots also pass periodic medical and practical flight exams to keep flying. BLS
View source
Dates and rules to re-check
These change by season or by law. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- Pay differs a lot by type of flying: median $232,140 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers and $123,220 for commercial pilots (May 2025).
BLS
Airline and Commercial Pilots — PayU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.