United Airlines is on the verge of making aviation history. As the carrier marks its 100th anniversary, seasoned Boeing 787 captain Chresten Wilson is poised to become the most senior pilot among United’s 18,000 aviators—and the first woman to ever attain that position.
Her ascent is the result of a 42-year career battling odds in a cockpit still predominantly male (women account for only 6% of pilots), and her tale unfolds as airlines grapple with a severe pilot shortage and a surge in demand for new hires.
“I’ve achieved something no woman has before,” the 64-year-old stated after recently returning from a trip to Australia. “It simply demonstrates that it’s possible, and I’m aiming to inspire more women to enter this field.”
Aside from prestige and a globetrotting lifestyle, being a pilot offers six-figure earnings, is immune to AI disruption, and—surprisingly—doesn’t require a college degree.
Airline pilots are in high demand—and salaries can stretch over $400,000
Aviation is one of the nation’s most well-compensated fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earn a median base salary of $226,000—roughly 358% higher than the national median for all occupations.
Seniority and aircraft type drive earnings even higher: captains flying wide-body international aircraft can earn over $400,000 per year, as reported by Business Insider. “It’s quite profitable,” Wilson noted.
The timing is also advantageous for those aspiring to be pilots. Boeing projects a need for approximately 660,000 new pilots worldwide over the next two decades, fueled by rising air travel demand and an influx of retirements.
It’s also a profession unlikely to be replaced by AI anytime soon—making it an attractive choice for young workers seeking stable, well-paying careers.
Although the job demands extensive training, a four-year degree isn’t necessarily required. Many pilots start with flight lessons and work toward a student pilot certificate, then a private pilot license, gradually accumulating flight hours and additional certifications. Numerous airlines and aviation schools run dedicated training academies aimed at channeling graduates into airline cockpits.
Wilson’s journey to the top United pilot began in elementary school
For Wilson, it’s the realization of a dream that started at age 9.
“I was beaming from ear to ear. I’d never been on an airplane,” Wilson recounted to , remembering the day her father took her on a flight to take aerial photographs. When he asked why she was so happy, her response was instant: “This is what I’m going to do when I grow up.”
She never abandoned that dream. A few years later, after moving to Denver with her mom and sister, she drove by United’s training center: “No one ever told me there were no female airline pilots… I just kept that in mind as what I was going to do.”
She enrolled in college in Denver, where she started formal flight training while still a student. After obtaining her certifications, she became a flight instructor and got a break when one of her students happened to work at United’s training center. The student gave her an application, but Wilson wasn’t hopeful it would lead to much.
“I didn’t think there was the slightest chance I’d get hired, because pilots were a dime a dozen back then, but I guess I met their criteria and was hired at 22.”
She climbed the ranks from flight engineer—a now-obsolete navigator position—to copilot on the Boeing 737, and eventually to captain. She’s held that rank for 31 years. Currently, she flies the 787 out of San Francisco, logging about 12 days a month in the air, mostly on long-haul international routes to places like Australia and New Zealand. After two other pilots retire later this spring, she’ll be the most senior.
Despite being a lucrative career, becoming a pilot requires persistence—and sacrifice
The road to the cockpit demands consistency above nearly everything, Wilson stated.
“Once you begin training, it’s something you need to be devoted to and consistent with. It’s not something you want to start and then stop,” she said, adding that aspiring pilots shouldn’t be discouraged by skeptics. “I don’t see why anyone can’t do it.”
The job involves real trade-offs. Pilots must undergo continuous retraining and regular proficiency checks, and the travel schedule can be demanding—especially early in a career when seniority is low.
“You’re away from home a lot. When you’re not very senior, you tend to miss your kids’ birthdays and T-ball games,” Wilson said. “…If you want to be home every Christmas, it might not happen.”
“It’s not a career for everyone,” she added. “If it’s something you truly want to do, seniority is crucial, so stick with it. Don’t hesitate to start applying to airlines early… Just be persistent if it’s what you desire.”
But for those willing to commit, she said, it’s worthwhile.
“I always tell my crew, ‘keep me off CNN and don’t make me the one they’re talking about at the next training event,’” Wilson said. “‘Let’s have a safe operation; the only attention we want is for a safe operation and a smooth landing.’”