Air transportation occupations

Regional and low-fare airlines offer the best opportunities; pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition.
Pilots usually start with smaller commuter and regional airlines to acquire the experience needed to qualify for higher paying jobs with national or major airlines.
Many pilots have learned to fly in the military, but growing numbers have college degrees with flight training from civilian flying schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Earnings of airline pilots are among the highest in the Nation.

Nearly all air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency of the Federal Government.
Replacement needs will account for most job openings, reflecting the large number of air traffic controllers who will be eligible to retire over the next decade.
Competition to get into FAA training programs is expected to remain keen; however, graduates of these programs have good job prospects.
Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits.

Fatalities

2004 Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and event or exposure

Occupation	Fatalities: Event or exposure
Occupation	Total	Tran.	Viol.	Cont.	Falls	Expo.	Fires
Air transportation workers	109	109	-	-	-	-	-

source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program; about this section