Do pilots need a license in Ohio?

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

How to Become a Pilot in Ohio (2026)

Q: How long does pilot training take in Ohio?

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

Q: How much do pilots earn in Ohio?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), pilots in Ohio earned a median annual wage of approximately $204,170 (using the related "Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers" BLS category, since pilot wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in Ohio is roughly 0.42 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Ohio currently employs approximately 1,550 workers in the related "Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Ohio commercial pilots earn a median annual wage of $150,330 according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,680 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 22.0% above the national median of $123,220 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $150,330
25th percentile: $82,440 per year
75th percentile: $211,620 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $219,140 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $60,300 per year
Workers employed in Ohio: 2,680
Versus national median: 22.0% above the U.S. median of $123,220
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.58 - this occupation is more concentrated in Ohio than the national average

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

Ohio employs about 1,550 pilots earning a median $204,170 a year (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, Ohio employs approximately 1,550 workers in the related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category (SOC 53-2011), with a median annual wage of $204,170 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 Ohio, 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

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)
Median wage (Ohio): $204,170 per year (based on related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category) ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pilot in Ohio

How to become a Pilot in Ohio? 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 Ohio? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride). See the licensing section below.

What do pilots earn in Ohio? The BLS does not track pilot wages separately. Based on the related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category, the median annual wage in Ohio is $204,170, with entry-level wages around $100,300 and experienced workers earning $406,110 or more ¹.

How to Become a Pilot in Ohio

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 Ohio

Pilots hold FAA certificates. Ohio 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 Ohio

Commercial Pilots Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Columbus	1,410	$175,690	$153,240	$60,300	$216,270
Cleveland	600	$166,520	$148,680	$59,280	$225,960
Cincinnati	190	$130,230	$150,620	$63,400	$269,510
Toledo	100	$61,080	$88,790	$61,080	$163,300
Akron	80	$84,170	$117,330	$39,210	$206,620
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek	70	$120,910	$129,010	$61,560	$220,050

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 Ohio? Ohio employs approximately 1,550 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 Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Ohio.

How much do pilots earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pilots in Ohio is $204,170 (based on the related “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers” category), which is $22,430 below the national median of $226,600 according to BLS data ¹.

In Ohio

Ohio Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

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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

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