How Much Does a Type Rating Cost in 2026?
Type Rating Costs for Every Major Aircraft
A type rating is required to fly any aircraft over 12,500 lbs or any turbojet. Costs vary dramatically based on aircraft type and training provider.
Airline Aircraft
| Aircraft | Self-Sponsored Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737 (NG/MAX) | $38,000-$55,000 | 3-5 weeks |
| Airbus A320 (ceo/neo) | $35,000-$50,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| Boeing 777 | $45,000-$65,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| Boeing 787 | $45,000-$65,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| Airbus A350 | $45,000-$65,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| Embraer E-170/175/190 | $25,000-$40,000 | 3-4 weeks |
Business Jets
| Aircraft | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Citation CJ1/CJ2/CJ3 | $12,000-$22,000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Citation XLS/XLS+ | $18,000-$28,000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Challenger 300/350 | $25,000-$38,000 | 3-4 weeks |
| Gulfstream G450/G550 | $35,000-$50,000 | 4-5 weeks |
| Gulfstream G650 | $38,000-$55,000 | 4-5 weeks |
Turboprops
| Aircraft | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| King Air B200 | $8,000-$15,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| King Air 350 | $10,000-$18,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| ATR 42/72 | $18,000-$30,000 | 3-4 weeks |
Major Training Providers
| Provider | Locations | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| CAE | 50+ worldwide | Mid-High |
| FlightSafety International | 20+ US/global | Mid-High |
| L3Harris | 10+ locations | Mid |
| SimCom | 5 US locations | Low-Mid |
Cost-Saving Tips
- Let an airline pay -- All US majors and most regionals provide free type rating training
- Group rates -- 10-15% discount for groups of 2-4 pilots
- Off-peak training -- January-March can be 5-10% cheaper
- Geographic arbitrage -- Training in Asia or South Africa costs 20-30% less
ROI Analysis
| Type Rating | Cost | Income Increase | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 737/A320 to airline | $45,000 | +$30,000-$50,000/yr | 1-2 years |
| Citation to Part 135 | $18,000 | +$15,000-$25,000/yr | 1-2 years |
| King Air to charter | $12,000 | +$10,000-$20,000/yr | 1-2 years |
The Bottom Line
Type ratings range from $8,000 for turboprops to $70,000 for widebody jets. The best strategy is letting an employer pay. If self-sponsoring, choose a type with the best job market return.
*Prepare for type rating ground school with our [ATPL question bank](/) and plan finances with our [cost calculator](/tools/cost).*
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