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Pilot
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Helicopters are used to:
Flying a helicopter involves both the hands and feet. The right hand controls the direction of flight. The left hand controls altitude. Foot pedals point the helicopter in the right direction.
Helicopter pilots need good eyesight to scan the instrument panel and navigate the helicopter. To navigate, they use:
While flying helicopters, pilots stay in contact with other aircraft and NAV CANADA. NAV CANADA manages Canadian airspace and provides information including weather updates.
Helicopter pilots’ duties can vary a lot from one job to another. They:
Helicopter pilots may also need to manage job logistics such as:
Helicopter pilots can work in urban or remote areas, including offshore. Those who work in remote areas often are away from home for long periods. Sometimes they work in severe weather.
Some days they may be on call. In some industries, such as fire rescue, work hours can be irregular. Other industries have set schedules, allowing pilots to have regular hours.
Some helicopter pilots work full time. Others work on a seasonal basis from spring until fall. They may work on a contract basis.
They often load and unload cargo. The work can be stressful. Flying requires constant alertness. Flight schedules can be tight with pickup or delivery deadlines.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Air pilots
2023 OaSIS: 72600.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Helicopter pilots need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 87 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 04, 2022 and Nov 18, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Fly fixed wing aircrafts or helicopters | 73 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 53 |
| Tasks: Maintain communications with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters and respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions | 52 |
| Work Site Environment: Commercial aviation | 50 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 49 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Commercial Pilot Licence - fixed wing | 49 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, inform crew members of flight and test procedures and direct activities of aircraft crew during flights | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 47 |
| Work under pressure | 47 |
A high school diploma is not required. However, employers consider it a definite asset.
Helicopter pilots must be licensed by the Government of Canada. The 100-hour course leading to a Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter takes 3 to 6 months. Costs range from $50,000 to $86,000 depending on the type of helicopter used for training.
Persons holding a Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane can complete a 60-hour course. The cost of this helicopter endorsement course is usually less than the 100-hour course.
For a list of flight schools in Alberta, visit the Government of Canada website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Helicopter pilots must be licensed by the Government of Canada. To qualify, applicants must:
Persons who hold other licences such as Private Pilot Licence - Helicopter or Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane have reduced training hour and flight time requirements.
For detailed information, visit the Government of Canada website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
The job market for new helicopter pilots can be difficult. New pilots will log 100 hours by the time they finish training. This means all new pilots start at the same level.
It can take up to 3 years to complete the first 500 hours. As pilots gain more flight hours, they become more employable. Every added 500 hours can open opportunities in other industries.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
2016 NOC: 2271
81.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is generally low in this occupation but is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
New helicopter pilots generally enter higher pay brackets after 5 years. Salaries may be higher working in logging or heli-skiing.
Helicopter pilots are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 72600: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors occupational group earned on average from $34.65 to $71.93 an hour. The overall average was $51.39 an hour. For more information, see the Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors wage profile.
Aviation, Government of Canada website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
