Commercial Pilots

Commercial Pilots score 24 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #602 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 26 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 6 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

24/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #602of 923 jobs
US workers: 47,630BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $123,220a year
In real AI use: 0 of 26tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (12%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 6 (23%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 17 (65%)

Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise other crew members.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Rescue and evacuate injured persons.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Perform minor aircraft maintenance and repair work, or arrange for major maintenance.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Pilot airplanes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitudes to dust or spray fields with fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Check the flight performance of new and experimental planes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about commercial pilots and AI

Will AI replace commercial pilots?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Commercial Pilots score 24 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #602 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 9 of the job's 26 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 17 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which commercial pilots tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne"; "Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption"; "Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots".

Which commercial pilots tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor"; "Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures"; "Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as commercial pilots, and what do they earn?

About 47,630 people in the US, with median pay of $123,220 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.