Current Statistics of Women in Aviation Careers in U.S.
Women in Aviation: The Stats
With more than 20,000 members in 120 countries, Women in Aviation International is the largest nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to increasing the number of women involved in all areas of aviation and aerospace.
Women have been involved in aviation since its earliest days. From E. Lillian Todd , who designed and built aircraft in 1906 to Helen Richey, who became the first woman pilot for a U.S. commercial airline in 1934, women have assumed a variety of roles in the industry. At the close of the 20th century, astronaut Eileen Collins became the first female space shuttle commander.
During the last two decades, the number of women involved in the aviation industry has steadily increased and women can be found in nearly every aviation occupation today. However, the numbers are small by comparison. Women pilots, for example, represent only six percent of the total pilot population.
At the first Women in Aviation Conference in 1990, participants recognized the need for more women in the industry and for a support group to serve as mentors, advisors and interested colleagues. Following a number of successful conferences, Women in Aviation International (WAI) was established as a nonprofit organization in 1994 to address those needs. In 2024, the annual Women in Aviation conference attracted more than 5,000 attendees from all over the world.
Pilots
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| All | Women | ||
| 691,691 | Pilots (total) | 58,541 | 8.4% |
| 222,629 | Students | 31,687 | 14.2% |
| 105 | Recreational | 6 | 5.7% |
| 6,643 | Sport | 259 | 3.9% |
| 160,860 | Private* | 11,316 | 6.6% |
| 103,879 | Commercial* | 7,724 | 7.0% |
| 164,193 | Airline Transport* | 7,549 | 4.6% |
| 13,629 | Rotorcraft (only) | NA | NA |
| 19,753 | Glider (only) | NA | NA |
| 117,558 | Flight Instructors** | 8,592 | 7.3% |
| 206,322 | Remote Pilots*** | 14,882 | 7.2% |
* Includes pilots with an airplane only certificate. Also includes those with an airplane and a helicopter and/or glider certificate. For example, if a pilot holds a private airplane certificate and a commercial helicopter certificate, the pilot would be categorized as commercial.
** Not included in total pilots.
***Remote pilot certification started in August 2016. These numbers are not included in the pilot totals.
Non-Pilots
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| All | Women | ||
| 724,307 | Non Pilot (total) | 218,964 | 30.2% |
| 306,301 | Mechanic* | 7,860 | 2.6% |
| 36,741 | Repairmen* | 1,995 | 5.4% |
| 7,014 | Parachute Rigger* | 711 | 10.1% |
| 71,991 | Ground Instructor* | 5,603 | 7.8% |
| 23,286 | Dispatcher* | 4,586 | 19.7% |
| 36 | Flight Navigator | 0 | |
| 248,742 | Flight Attendant | 196,902 | 79.2% |
| 30,196 | Flight Engineer | 1,307 | 4.3% |
* Numbers represent all certificates on record. No medical examination required.
*Pilots (Women)
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Student (1) | 31,687 | 14.2% | 27,255 | 13.8% | 22,266 | 13.3% | 19,219 | 9.8% | 15,971 | 12.43% | 14,580 | 11.88% | 14,369 | 11.95% | 14,405 | 11.98% | 14,643 | 12.21% | 14,683 | 12.37% | 14,767 | 12.40% | 8,450 | 11.69% | 9,127 | 11.27% | 9,559 | 11.33% | 9,640 | 11.36% | 9,717 | 11.14% | 9,857 | 11.21% | 9,897 | 11.34% | 10,082 | 11.72% | 10,230 | 11.80% | 10,809 | 11.61% |
| Recreational | 6 | 5.7% | 7 | 5.5% | 10 | 6.9% | 14 | 10.5% | 15 | 8.57% | 16 | 8.42% | 16 | 6.72% | 17 | 7.14% | 16 | 7.34% | 18 | 7.93% | 12 | 5.66% | 13 | 5.56% | 20 | 7.94% | 17 | 7.11% | 17 | 7.11% | 20 | 7.19% | 21 | 7.22% | 24 | 7.74% | 23 | 7.26% | 20 | 6.33% | 26 | 7.65% |
| Sport | 259 | 3.9% | 254 | 3.9% | 240 | 3.8% | 229 | 3.5% | 223 | 3.79% | 211 | 3.85% | 192 | 3.98% | 174 | 3.61% | 152 | 3.38% | 135 | 3.32% | 118 | 3.20% | 98 | 3.02% | 79 | 3.01% | 64 | 3.15% | 26 | 2.77% | 7 | 5.22% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |||||
| Private | 11,316 | 6.6% | 10,683 | 6.6% | 10,255 | 6.3% | 9,971 | 7.0% | 10,009 | 6.17% | 11,339 | 6.64% | 11,652 | 6.47% | 11,909 | 6.61% | 12,456 | 6.63% | 12,927 | 6.65% | 13,566 | 6.72% | 14,322 | 6.77% | 15,015 | 6.75% | 13,694 | 6.49% | 14,111 | 6.44% | 14,517 | 6.35% | 15,036 | 6.37% | 15,487 | 6.42% | 15,906 | 6.49% | 13,894 | 5.70% | 14,554 | 5.79% |
| Commercial | 7,724 | 7.0% | 7,038 | 7.0% | 6,556 | 6.6% | 6,267 | 6.7% | 6,081 | 6.33% | 6,587 | 6.51% | 6,685 | 6.18% | 6,911 | 6.39% | 7,536 | 6.47% | 7,956 | 6.58% | 8,175 | 6.61% | 8,289 | 6.59% | 8,083 | 6.48% | 7,101 | 6.17% | 7,236 | 6.15% | 7,315 | 6.06% | 7,421 | 6.05% | 7,436 | 6.00% | 7,454 | 5.92% | 5,932 | 4.92% | 5,807 | 4.77% |
| Airline Transport | 7,549 | 4.6% | 7,503 | 4.5% | 7,136 | 4.4% | 6,994 | 4.1% | 6,888 | 4.36% | 6,554 | 4.24% | 6,408 | 4.28% | 6,205 | 4.14% | 5,818 | 4.00% | 5,597 | 3.93% | 5,580 | 3.92% | 5,636 | 3.90% | 5,657 | 3.85% | 5,349 | 3.72% | 5,071 | 3.57% | 5,008 | 3.53% | 4,908 | 3.45% | 4,850 | 3.38% | 4,792 | 3.31% | 4,630 | 3.20% | 4,411 | 3.12% |
| Flight Instructor (2) | 8,592 | 7.3% | 7,957 | 7.0% | 7,335 | 6.8% | 7,105 | 6.3% | 6,848 | 6.56% | 6,669 | 6.50% | 6,521 | 6.60% | 6,386 | 6.46% | 6,371 | 6.48% | 6,350 | 6.52% | 6,359 | 6.59% | 6,362 | 6.71% | 6,293 | 6.75% | 6,232 | 6.76% | 6,158 | 6.74% | 6,067 | 6.70% | 5,970 | 6.66% | 5,811 | 6.62% | 5,667 | 6.58% | 5,386 | 6.50% | 5,193 | 6.42% |
| Remote Pilots (3) | 14,882 | 7.2% | 10,818 | 6.7% | 6,188 | 5.8% | 3,462 | 48.7% | 793 | 3.89% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |||||||||
| Total | 58,541 | 8.4% | 52,740 | 7.9% | 46,463 | 7.3% | 42,694 | 6.8% | 39,187 | 6.71% | 39,287 | 6.66% | 39,322 | 6.56% | 39,621 | 6.61% | 40,621 | 6.65% | 41,316 | 6.69% | 42,218 | 6.73% | 36,808 | 6.19% | 37,981 | 6.19% | 35,784 | 6.06% | 36,101 | 6.05% | 36,584 | 6.00% | 37,423 | 6.02% | 37,694 | 6.03% | 38,257 | 6.06% | 34,706 | 5.67% | 35,607 | 5.69% |
(1) July 2010, validity increased under age 40 from 36 to 60 months.
(2) Not included in total pilots.
(3) Remote pilot certification started in August 2016. These numbers are not included in the pilot totals.
Pilots (Men and Women)
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |
| Student (1) | 222,629 | 197,665 | 167,804 | 149,121 | 128,501 | 122,729 | 120,546 | 120,285 | 119,946 | 118,657 | 119,119 | 72,280 | 80,989 | 84,339 | 84,866 | 87,213 | 87,910 | 87,296 | 85,991 | 86,731 | 93,064 |
| Recreational | 105 | 127 | 144 | 153 | 175 | 190 | 220 | 238 | 218 | 227 | 212 | 234 | 252 | 239 | 239 | 278 | 291 | 310 | 317 | 316 | 340 |
| Sport | 6,643 | 6,467 | 6,246 | 6,097 | 5,889 | 5,482 | 5,157 | 4,824 | 4,493 | 4,066 | 3,682 | 3,248 | 2,623 | 2,031 | 939 | 134 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Private | 160,860 | 161,105 | 163,145 | 162,455 | 162,313 | 170,718 | 174,883 | 180,214 | 188,001 | 194,441 | 202,020 | 211,619 | 222,596 | 211,096 | 219,233 | 228,619 | 235,994 | 241,045 | 245,230 | 243,823 | 251,561 |
| Commercial | 103,897 | 100,863 | 99,880 | 98,161 | 96,081 | 101,164 | 104,332 | 108,206 | 116,400 | 120,865 | 123,705 | 125,738 | 124,746 | 115,127 | 117,610 | 120,614 | 122,592 | 123,990 | 125,920 | 120,502 | 121,858 |
| Airline Transport | 164,193 | 164,974 | 162,145 | 159,825 | 157,894 | 154,730 | 152,933 | 149,824 | 145,590 | 142,511 | 142,198 | 144,600 | 146,838 | 143,953 | 141,935 | 141,992 | 142,160 | 143,504 | 144,708 | 144,702 | 141,596 |
| Rotorcraft (only) | 13,629 | 14,248 | 15,033 | 15,355 | 15,518 | 15,566 | 15,511 | 15,114 | 15,126 | 15,220 | 15,377 | 15,298 | 14,647 | 12,290 | 10,690 | 9,518 | 8,586 | 7,916 | 7,770 | 7,727 | 7,775 |
| Glider (only) | 19,753 | 19,143 | 18,139 | 18,139 | 17,991 | 19,460 | 19,927 | 20,381 | 20,802 | 21,141 | 21,275 | 21,268 | 21,055 | 21,274 | 21,597 | 21,369 | 21,100 | 20,950 | 21,826 | 8,473 | 9,387 |
| Flight Instructor (2) | 117,558 | 113,445 | 106,692 | 106,692 | 104,382 | 102,628 | 100,993 | 98,842 | 98,328 | 97,409 | 96,473 | 94,863 | 93,202 | 92,175 | 91,343 | 90,555 | 89,596 | 87,816 | 86,089 | 82,875 | 80,931 |
| Remote Pilots (3) | 206,322 | 160,302 | 69,166 | 69,166 | 20,362 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Total | 691,691 | 664,565 | 609,306 | 609,306 | 584,362 | 590,039 | 593,499 | 599,086 | 610,576 | 617,128 | 627,588 | 594,285 | 613,746 | 590,349 | 597,109 | 609,737 | 618,633 | 625,011 | 631,762 | 612,274 | 625,581 |
1) July 2010, validity increased under age 40 from 36 to 60 months.
(2) Not included in total pilots.
(3) Remote pilot certification started in August 2016. These numbers are not included in the pilot totals.
Non-Pilot (Women)
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NonPilot (total) | 218,964 | 30.2% | 215,905 | 30.2% | 203,725 | 29.6% | 195,993 | 27.3% | 187,914 | 28.78% | 183,259 | 25.54% | 174,000 | 24.81% | 166,294 | 23.52% | 160,452 | 22.88% | 155,918 | 22.42% | 150,019 | 21.85% | 147,052 | 21.55% | 144,968 | 21.38% | 138,452 | 20.77% | 128,192 | 19.53% | 119,850 | 18.61% | 18,666 | 3.62% | 18,030 | 3.54% | 17,612 | 3.42% | 17,114 | 3.34% | 16,552 | 3.02% |
| Mechanic* | 7,860 | 2.6% | 7,573 | 2.5% | 7,133 | 2.4% | 6,855 | 2.9% | 6,536 | 2.34% | 8,419 | 2.47% | 8,151 | 2.41% | 7,917 | 2.34% | 7,729 | 2.29% | 7,487 | 2.23% | 7,215 | 2.17% | 6,980 | 2.12% | 6,740 | 2.07% | 6,524 | 2.02% | 6,345 | 1.96% | 6,152 | 1.92% | 5,932 | 1.87% | 5,734 | 1.83% | 5,559 | 1.76% | 5,295 | 1.70% | 5,047 | 1.47% |
| Repairmen* | 1,995 | 5.4% | 1,996 | 5.5% | 1,868 | 5.3% | 1,847 | 6.5% | 1,822 | 5.29% | 2,289 | 5.79% | 2,278 | 5.63% | 2,288 | 5.73% | 2,307 | 5.70% | 2,278 | 5.58% | 2,312 | 5.60% | 2,335 | 5.64% | 2,284 | 5.56% | 2,193 | 5.44% | 2,180 | 5.41% | 2,108 | 5.27% | 2,039 | 5.20% | 1,800 | 4.83% | 1,722 | 4.64% | 1,789 | 4.46% | 1,704 | 4.46% |
| Parachute Rigger* | 711 | 10.1% | 681 | 10.0% | 631 | 9.8% | 597 | 13.1% | 540 | 9.23% | 811 | 9.32% | 763 | 9.00% | 712 | 8.39% | 697 | 8.23% | 683 | 8.04% | 655 | 7.79% | 633 | 7.57% | 615 | 7.46% | 594 | 7.26% | 584 | 7.08% | 556 | 6.82% | 540 | 6.74% | 521 | 6.61% | 500 | 6.20% | 475 | 5.99% | 509 | 4.86% |
| Ground Instructor* | 5,603 | 7.8% | 5,340 | 7.6% | 5,085 | 2.1% | 4,924 | 2.4% | 4,771 | 7.34% | 5,907 | 8.23% | 5,889 | 8.00% | 5,869 | 8.10% | 5,853 | 7.95% | 5,880 | 7.88% | 5,894 | 7.84% | 5,860 | 7.77% | 5,785 | 7.72% | 5,726 | 7.68% | 5,669 | 7.57% | 5,612 | 7.55% | 5,500 | 7.46% | 5,385 | 7.41% | 5,321 | 7.22% | 5,169 | 7.15% | 5,154 | 7.13% |
| Dispatcher* | 4,586 | 19.7% | 4,389 | 19.4% | 4,086 | 19.0% | 3,867 | 21.8% | 3,615 | 18.30% | 4,503 | 19.48% | 4,326 | 19.79% | 4,115 | 18.37% | 3,930 | 17.98% | 3,744 | 17.53% | 3,530 | 17.06% | 3,381 | 16.79% | 3,230 | 16.49% | 3,087 | 16.21% | 2,934 | 15.77% | 2,805 | 15.52% | 2,647 | 15.13% | 2,520 | 14.86% | 2,410 | 14.44% | 2,262 | 14.08% | 2,062 | 12.62% |
| Flight Navigator | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.49% | 1 | 0.87% | 1 | 0.71% | 1 | 0.79% | 1 | 0.71% | 1 | 0.68% | 1 | 0.57% | 1 | 0.55% | 1 | 0.45% | 1 | 0.40% | 1 | 0.38% | 1 | 0.34% | 1 | 0.30% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Flight Attendant** | 196,902 | 79.2% | 194,578 | 79.2% | 183,519 | 79.3% | 176,471 | 71.9% | 169,170 | 79.57% | 159,703 | 84.53% | 150,941 | 87.57% | 143,701 | 80.04% | 138,223 | 80.20% | 134,114 | 80.29% | 128,646 | 80.43% | 126,034 | 80.41% | 124,419 | 80.44% | 118,426 | 80.55% | 108,559 | 80.49% | 100,630 | 80.48% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |||||
| Flight Engineer | 1,307 | 4.3% | 1,348 | 4.3% | 1,403 | 4.2% | 1,432 | 4.7% | 1,458 | 4.08% | 1,626 | 3.71% | 1,651 | 3.54% | 1,691 | 3.73% | 1,712 | 3.67% | 1,731 | 3.63% | 1,766 | 3.60% | 1,828 | 3.58% | 1,894 | 3.56% | 1,901 | 3.49% | 1,920 | 3.43% | 1,986 | 3.44% | 2,007 | 3.38% | 2,070 | 3.36% | 2,100 | 3.30% | 2,124 | 3.25% | 2,076 | 3.19% |
* Numbers represent all certificates on record. No medical examination required.
** 2005 was the first year the Registry reported Flight Attendants.
Non-Pilot (Men and Women)
Source: FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2020 data)
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |
| NonPilot (total) | 724,307 | 714,201 | 688,002 | 671,222 | 652,943 | 728,329 | 717,399 | 707,155 | 701,291 | 695,515 | 686,717 | 682,315 | 678,181 | 666,559 | 656,227 | 644,016 | 515,293 | 509,835 | 515,570 | 513,100 | 547,453 |
| Mechanic* | 306,301 | 301,087 | 292,002 | 286,268 | 279,435 | 342,528 | 341,409 | 338,844 | 337,775 | 335,431 | 331,989 | 329,027 | 326,276 | 322,852 | 323,097 | 320,293 | 317,111 | 313,032 | 315,928 | 310,850 | 344,434 |
| Repairmen* | 36,741 | 36,294 | 35,382 | 35,040 | 34,411 | 39,363 | 39,566 | 39,952 | 40,444 | 40,802 | 41,267 | 41,389 | 41,056 | 40,277 | 40,329 | 40,030 | 39,231 | 37,248 | 37,114 | 40,085 | 38,208 |
| Parachute Rigger* | 7,014 | 6,800 | 6,430 | 6,192 | 5,851 | 8,846 | 8,702 | 8,491 | 8,474 | 8,491 | 8,407 | 8,362 | 8,248 | 8,186 | 8,252 | 8,150 | 8,011 | 7,883 | 8,063 | 7,927 | 10,477 |
| Ground Instructor* | 71,991 | 69,991 | 67,784 | 66,423 | 65,053 | 70,957 | 71,755 | 72,493 | 73,599 | 74,586 | 75,205 | 75,461 | 74,983 | 74,544 | 74,849 | 74,378 | 73,735 | 72,692 | 73,658 | 72,261 | 72,326 |
| Dispatcher* | 23,286 | 22,598 | 21,465 | 20,664 | 19,758 | 23,754 | 23,113 | 22,401 | 21,862 | 21,363 | 20,691 | 20,132 | 19,590 | 19,043 | 18,610 | 18,079 | 17,493 | 16,955 | 16,695 | 16,070 | 16,340 |
| Flight Navigator | 36 | 40 | 58 | 64 | 67 | 102 | 115 | 126 | 141 | 146 | 174 | 181 | 222 | 250 | 264 | 298 | 336 | 382 | 431 | 509 | 570 |
| Flight Attendant** | 248,742 | 245,699 | 231,355 | 222,037 | 212,607 | 200,319 | 188,936 | 179,531 | 172,357 | 167,037 | 159,946 | 156,741 | 154,671 | 147,013 | 134,874 | 125,032 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Flight Engineer | 30,196 | 31,692 | 33,526 | 34,534 | 35,761 | 42,460 | 43,803 | 45,317 | 46,639 | 47,659 | 49,038 | 51,022 | 53,135 | 52,394 | 55,952 | 57,756 | 59,376 | 61,643 | 63,681 | 65,398 | 65,098 |
* Numbers represent all certificates on record. No medical examination required.
** 2005 was the first year the Registry reported Flight Attendants.