* Includes pilots with an airplane only certificate.
The figures have been rounded.
Values are as of December 31 each year.
To retrieve the data click on 2020 Active Civil Airmen Statistics.
Citation formats
U.S. active certificated pilots by category 2008-2020
This statistic represents the number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 through 2020, broken down by category. In the United States, around ** commercial pilots held a certificate in 2020.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Federal Aviation Administration. (May 18, 2021). Number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 to 2020, by category (in 1,000s)* [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/
Federal Aviation Administration. "Number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 to 2020, by category (in 1,000s)*." Chart. May 18, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/
Federal Aviation Administration. (2021). Number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 to 2020, by category (in 1,000s)*. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/
Federal Aviation Administration. "Number of Certified Pilots in The United States from 2008 to 2020, by Category (in 1,000s)*." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 18 May 2021, /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/
Federal Aviation Administration, Number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 to 2020, by category (in 1,000s)* ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Number of certified pilots in the United States from 2008 to 2020, by category (in 1,000s)* [Graph], Federal Aviation Administration, May 18, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/918838/number-of-pilots-in-the-united-states-by-category/
