Airline Captain+27% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
64% of observed moves out of First Officer go here (4,200 careers)
leadership branchconfidence high4,200 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · aviation
Where does a First Officer go next?
11 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Management path
Check Airman+71% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
21% of observed moves out of First Officer go here (1,400 careers)
leadership branchconfidence high1,400 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Port Operations Manager-1% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Chief Mate. 5% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence moderate460 careers90% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
Director of Flight Operations+144% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Airline Captain. 16% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence high1,400 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
Career pivot
Chief Mate-23% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
7% of observed moves out of First Officer go here (460 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate460 careers86% of observed exits move upward from there
Owner-Operator-52% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
7% of observed moves out of First Officer go here (460 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate460 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there