Were you that kid with your head in the clouds? Are you still that kid? Get a 30,000-foot view of your future by pursuing a prestigious career as a pilot.
There are several licenses to choose from, but commercial and airline pilots are among the most popular. Whichever route you take, gear up for the adventure of a lifetime and a compensation package that will keep you thoroughly grounded.
Pilot training is pretty straightforward. As long as you have a high school diploma or equivalent, you can pursue your commercial pilot's license from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To be an airline pilot, though, you'll need a bachelor's degree and an FAA-issued Airline Transport Pilot certificate. That means hours upon hours of practice — and an equal amount of recovery time.
The outlook for this career is bright, as airline travel has skyrocketed in recent years, while the aviation industry has simultaneously been suffering from a pilot shortage. That means that pilots are in a position to negotiate for some pretty sweet deals, including flexible schedules, comprehensive health plans, and sky-high salaries.
The median salary for a commercial pilot is about $82,000 a year, while airline pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers make a median salary of $140,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.