Originally Posted by
Duchess_Driver
I would suspect probably double that....
UK data for 2018 had some 16,100 ATPL/CPL holders for (A) and some 1500 (H) across all ages and sexes. I would suspect the US is an order of magnitude greater.
Be interested to know the exact number worldwide.
Spot on. FAA lists 162.000 ATPs for 2018 (last number available), and another 100.000 Commercial pilots. Those commercial pilots could work as FO for a regional, but must get their ATP when they upgrade. Also a number of those ATP holders are working in corporate flight departments. I would guess around 130.000 airline pilots total in the US.