CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence
CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence | ATPL – Airline Transport Pilot Licence | A&P – Aircraft Mechanic Certification (AMT) | Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | FAA / EASA / DGCA | FAA / EASA / DGCA | FAA | FAA |
| Level | Intermediate | Advanced | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam fee | $30,000–$60,000 | $70,000–$150,000 | $2,000–$5,000 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Duration | — | — | — | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $50K–$90K | $80K–$200K | $60K–$95K | $60K–$90K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence or ATPL – Airline Transport Pilot Licence first?
CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence or AMT first?
Both are rated Intermediate. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.
Should I take CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence or Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate first?
Both are rated Intermediate. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.