Do pilots need a license in Maryland?

No statewide license is required for pilots in Maryland. Most employers expect industry certifications such as FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride).

How to Become a Pilot in Maryland (2026)

Q: How long does pilot training take in Maryland?

Most people become a Pilot in Maryland through an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license.

Q: What is the job outlook for pilots in Maryland?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034. State employment data for Maryland is not separately published for this occupation.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maryland commercial pilots earn a median annual wage of $131,210 according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 360 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 6.5% above the national median of $123,220 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $131,210
25th percentile: $81,620 per year
75th percentile: $173,790 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $229,430 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $58,070 per year
Workers employed in Maryland: 360
Versus national median: 6.5% above the U.S. median of $123,220
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.42 - this occupation is less concentrated in Maryland than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

U.S. employment of pilots is projected to change 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). Training as a Pilot here means completing an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license.

Maryland offers career opportunities for pilots. This page covers how to become a Pilot in Maryland, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: FAA Part 61 or Part 141 flight school (find programs)
Typical timeline: an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license
Exam: FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride)

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pilot in Maryland

How to become a Pilot in Maryland? Complete an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Maryland? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride). See the licensing section below.

How to Become a Pilot in Maryland

Get an FAA medical. See an Aviation Medical Examiner for the medical class your goal requires.
Train under Part 61 or Part 141. Complete ground and dual instruction at a flight school. This is not a registered apprenticeship and not a state licensing board path.
Solo, then pass the knowledge test. Meet FAA solo requirements, then pass the FAA knowledge test.
Pass the checkride and add ratings. Pass the practical test. Private is the entry certificate; instrument, commercial, and ATP are later ratings. Confirm current hour minimums with the FAA and your school, not a state board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Pilot License Requirements in Maryland

Pilots hold FAA certificates. Maryland does not issue a pilot license. The path is medical, flight training, knowledge test, and checkride.

Typical path

Obtain an FAA medical.
Complete Part 61 or Part 141 training.
Pass the knowledge test and checkride.
Add ratings as your career requires.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Pilot Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

Commercial Pilots Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), commercial pilots wages in Maryland vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	510	$125,850	$148,260	$75,310	$259,570
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	310	$158,670	$157,600	$71,750	$271,090
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson	140	$129,850	$138,060	$58,080	$236,920
Lexington Park	60	$171,560	$179,850	$115,560	$224,460

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pilots in Maryland? Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 ¹.

What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maryland.

In Maryland

Best Trade Schools in Maryland (2026)

Explore More Trades in Maryland

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)