Commercial Pilot

Let’s face it, flying is really cool, and commercial pilots don’t just fly for the airlines we’re all familiar with. They fly tour helicopters, private planes, and cargo planes.

You might be flying to move people, move stuff, fight fires, take photographs, or spray pesticides. Whatever the specifics, you’ll be getting paid good money to fly big machines through the air.

Becoming a pilot requires dedication, and can be costly. You’ll need to get a four-year degree, preferably with an emphasis in aviation.

After graduation, you’ll need to enroll in an accredited flight school, where you’ll train for 14-18 months. Following that, you’ll need to earn a total of three different licenses along with thousands of hours of flight experience before you can apply to work as a pilot for an airline.

As an alternative, you may also consider joining the military. Not only will that pay for your education, but the private sector loves pilots that have a military background because of the quality of training and experience you’ll get. The flipside, of course, is that you have to sign a multi-year contract with the military.

As a pilot, you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time away from home, but it’s a career that can be glamorous, exciting, and rewarding. Your earning potential increases substantially as you gain experience as well.