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featuredTuition
$109,500
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$115,000
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featuredSep 8 - Sep 8, 2028
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$124,304
Scholarships available
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$10,152
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Apr 5 - Oct 5, 2028
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$11,637
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Jun 1 - Jun 1, 2027
Plus 4 other start datesJul 6 - Jul 6 2027
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Sep 8 - Sep 8 2027
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Tuition
$14,502
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Jun 1 - Jun 1, 2027
Plus 5 other start datesJul 6 - Jul 6 2027
Aug 4 - Aug 4 2027
Sep 8 - Sep 8 2027
Oct 5 - Oct 5 2027
Nov 2 - Nov 2 2027
Tuition
$14,530
About
If you’re ready to take your love of flying and turn it into a lucrative, thrilling career, the Commercial Pilot Licence is your next step to becoming a pilot in Canada.
The skies are full of opportunity, with increasing demand for pilots in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of commercial pilot licences issued in Canada fell by more than 80 percent from 2019 to 2023. According to the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace, the industry could require up to 7,300 additional pilots by the year 2025, based on trends as of 2018.
Commercial pilots can fly people and cargo, and be paid for it. They typically hold specialized roles like charter flying, flight instructing, banner towing, or agricultural spraying. The average salary for a commercial pilot according to Glassdoor is $66,194. Airline pilots, with additional credentials, training hours and responsibilities, can earn even more.
At 18 years old, you can obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which permits you to operate an aircraft professionally, earning compensation for your services. With it, you can take on a number of specialized piloting roles, transporting passengers and cargo for payment. In Canada, the best flight schools, both public and private, provide comprehensive pilot training and guidance to help you obtain your CPL, as well as offering avenues for career development.
It’s the perfect time to chart your course towards a rewarding career in the cockpit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many years does it take to become a commercial pilot?
To become a commercial pilot in Canada you must have 80 hours of ground instruction and 200 flight hours in total. These hours can be completed at the student’s pace and discretion. If you’re flying full-time (five days a week), you can complete your licence requirements in less than a year. Part-time, it may take closer to 18-24 months, or roughly two years.
What is the difference between an airline pilot and a commercial pilot?
A commercial pilot holds a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which allows the pilot to fly an aircraft with people and cargo on it while getting paid. Commercial pilots often do charter flying, flight instructing, or other specialized pilot roles.
An airline pilot has not only obtained their CPL but also their Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), which allows them to be the captain of a multi-crew airplane. Airline pilots have to complete considerably more training hours, and have a more traditional, linear career path from first officer to captain.
Airline pilots typically earn higher salaries than commercial pilots, based on their higher station and additional training.
How much do commercial pilots make?
In Canada, a commercial pilot can expect to earn an average annual salary of $66,194. This competitive pay reflects the skill, training, and responsibility required to operate aircraft in various non-airline sectors, such as charter services, aerial work, and specialized flight operations.
How do you get a CPL licence in Canada?
A great place to begin your CPL licence journey is with Canada’s top flight schools. They provide comprehensive training, covering both ground school and in-flight instruction to prepare students for the CPL exam. Ground school requires 80 hours of instruction on various topics, including regulations, aerodynamics, and flight operations. To qualify, you must log 200 hours of flight time, with at least 100 hours as pilot-in-command and 20 hours of cross-country flights. Additionally, 65 more hours of flight time are needed, split between dual instruction and solo flights.
Certification
To become a Commercial Pilot, you must obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). To do so, you must first get your Private Pilot Licence (PPL), which you can do as young as 17 years old.
In Canada, all CPL holders must be a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, or a person admitted to Canada with a valid visa, and be a secondary school graduate. To start the CPL process, you must be at least 18 years old, and must hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate.
Canada’s best flight schools cover both ground school and in-flight training to prepare you for the CPL exam. You’re expected to complete 80 hours of ground school instruction, which includes subjects such as Canadian Aviation Regulations, aerodynamics and theory of light, meteorology, airframes engines and systems, flight instruments, radio and electronic theory, navigation, and flight operations, as well as human factors including pilot decision-making.
You’re required to accumulate 200 hours of flight time, including a minimum of 100 hours as pilot-in-command, and with 20 hours dedicated to cross-country flights. Additionally, you’ll need an extra 65 hours of flight time, involving 35 hours of dual instruction under the supervision of a flight instructor, along with 30 hours of solo flight time.
Applicants must also achieve a minimum grade of 60 percent in the four mandatory subject areas – Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics – as well as in the overall written CPL examination.
To become certified as a private pilot, you must obtain certification by Transport Canada. Then, you can explore some of the many professional associations for aircraft operators and other aviation workers, such as:
Select Aviation College’s EWA.16 Commercial Air Transport Pilot – Airplane program is designed for students aiming for a career as a commercial pilot and who want to get there faster without doing the ATPL written exams. The program is twelve … Continue reading
The Canadian Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (CIATPL) program is the choice for those who want a career as a professional pilot – and have little to no previous flight experience or training. The programs’ Transport Canada-approved curriculum provides students … Continue reading
The Airline and Flight Operations Commercial Pilot program consists of four terms and is delivered over 18 months with scheduled breaks for flying during each term. Each term must be passed to progress to the next term. The flight training … Continue reading
Select Aviation College’s EWA.18 Commercial Air Transport Pilot – Bush pilot program is primarily designed for pilots who wish to master the art of seaplane flight. This unique program allows learners to become professional pilots and enter the job market … Continue reading
Tuition
$109,500
Tuition
$109,500
Select Aviation College’s EWA.1G Commercial Air Transport Pilot – CPL Helicopter program offers helicopter enthusiasts the experience of a lifetime. In addition to all the academic benefits of a college program (765 hours of theory), the program also includes 135 … Continue reading
Tuition
$115,000
Tuition
$115,000
Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership is a three-year Ontario college advanced diploma program for students interested in becoming a pilot or manager in the airline industry. In addition to flying, students will study a variety of aviation-oriented courses centered around … Continue reading
Tuition
$10,152
Tuition
$10,152
Tuition & Completion Data
Domestic
Last updated: April 29, 2026
International
See below for the latest data on international student tuition across Canada, excluding housing costs and ancillary fees.
Source: Statistics Canada 2023
Careers
With strong demand for pilots in Canada, this continues to be a field of opportunity for aspiring aviators. The Canadian Job Bank anticipates persisting shortages of transportation officers and controllers, including pilots, through 2031.
After obtaining your CPL licence, the commercial sector offers a broad array of pilot job opportunities. Commercial pilots can take on roles in cargo transport, charter operations, and other specialized jobs like banner towing or agriculture spraying. The average salary for a commercial pilot according to Glassdoor is $66,194, but pay varies depending on the specific pilot job.
Ferry Plane Operator/Ferry Pilot – $43,697
Ferry plane operators, or ferry pilots, transport aircrafts between the locations of buyers and sellers. Unlike other pilots, ferry plane operators typically don’t carry passengers or cargo; instead, they are primarily responsible for moving both new and older aircraft from manufacturers to airports or commercial buyers.
Airshow Pilot – $59,486
Holding your CPL makes it possible for you to be paid to work as an airshow pilot, including potentially transporting and showcasing new aircrafts for commercial sales. Airshow pilots must complete an aerobatics course and pass the final exam to qualify for this role.
Banner Tow Pilot – $66,194
Banner tow pilots fly planes with long flag ad messages attached that promote a company’s products, services, or promotions, or display personal messages such as “Will you marry me?” or “Happy Birthday”.
Jump Pilot – $66,194
Jump pilots fly aircrafts for skydivers. These pilots prepare the planes, monitor conditions to ensure it’s safe for jumping, and take the divers to the right altitude for their experience.
Cargo Pilot – $68,086
Cargo pilots are responsible for transporting packages across the globe, operating large aircraft loaded with goods and freight. To ensure the timely and safe delivery of products, they often undertake long flights and travel to remote locations. This role offers the chance to enhance your skills while exploring new destinations worldwide.
Flight Instructor – $85,178
Flight instructors teach aspiring pilots how to fly. Often working at private flight schools or college programs, flight instructors might be responsible for both ground school training and/or in-flight training.
Salaries
The average salary for a commercial pilot according to Glassdoor is $66,194, but pay varies depending on the specific pilot job. Here is a closer look at salary ranges based on job type and seniority, using data from Glassdoor, Indeed, Talent.com and Canada’s Job Bank:
| Role | Average Salary in Canada |
|---|---|
| Ferry Plane Operator / Ferry Pilot | $43,697 |
| Airshow Pilot | $59,486 |
| Banner Tow Pilot | $66,194 |
| Jump Pilot | $66,194 |
| Cargo Pilot | $68,086 |
| Flight Instructor | $85,178 |