How to Become a Pilot in Massachusetts (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Massachusetts employs about 2,240 pilots (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers”). Training as a Pilot here means completing an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts employs approximately 2,240 workers in the related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 11,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pilot in Massachusetts, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pilot salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (SOC 53-2011). Actual pilot earnings may vary.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pilot in Massachusetts

How to become a Pilot in Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts

  1. Get an FAA medical. See an Aviation Medical Examiner for the medical class your goal requires.
  2. 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.
  3. Solo, then pass the knowledge test. Meet FAA solo requirements, then pass the FAA knowledge test.
  4. 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 Massachusetts

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

Typical path

  1. Obtain an FAA medical.

  2. Complete Part 61 or Part 141 training.

  3. Pass the knowledge test and checkride.

  4. 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 Massachusetts

Commercial Pilots Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boston-Cambridge-Newton460N/AN/AN/AN/A
Providence-Warwick80$106,510$132,720$51,360$273,060

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 Massachusetts? Massachusetts employs approximately 2,240 workers in the related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

In Massachusetts

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)