✈ Currently the cost of the average Cessna 172 being around $150 per hour, and the cost of the instructor being $85+ per hour.

✈ Private - The average cost of a Private Pilot Certificate is around $16,000, with the final test (check ride) costing $1500.

✈ Instrument - I like to say whatever you spent on your Private is what you'll spend on your instrument rating. So say you're average, that's another $16,000 and another $1500 check ride.

✈ Commercial - This varies widely. TLDR, you need 250 hours to take the commercial check ride. The instrument rating typically gets you to 130-150 hours. So you can either spend the next 100 hours flying around with other pilots and "split" the time and split the costs (This is the most least expensive way to do it), or you can continue flying while not splitting the cost. This is why the cost range is so wide at $15,000-$30,000 - as it very much depends how you spend that next 100 hours, as well as many other factors like how long it takes you, the type of time, etc. Adding the latter to the first two averages - that brings us to around $65000 total so far.

✈ Multi Engine - This is in fact the "easiest" add-on. However the DPE shortage is heavily impacting this simplicity of this rating. DPE stands for Designated Pilot Examiner and basically that means there is very long wait times for check rides. Typically, it should only take about a week to train and check ride for this rating. With the shortage a pilot could be waiting 45-90 days for a check ride date. During this time the pilot in training would have to fly rather consistently in order to stay proficient and ready for the final test. This can drive costs up significantly and why I recommend students to go out of town where they have a better chance at getting a check ride sooner. We recommend Midwest Corporate Air as they advertise a 5-day $5000 Multi Engine rating. Very reasonable. However I would call ahead to make sure they have the availability. Here is their website for reference: https://midwestcorporateair.com/multi-engine-flight-training

✈ Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) - This can range heavily as well since it depends on many factors. Most students get comfortable flying from the right seat instead of the left within about 15-20 flight hours. Then I'd say another 10-15 hours to get prepped for the check ride. This brings the total to around $10,000 which includes a fair amount of ground instruction with your instructor, and add on a $2000 check ride.

✈ Certificated Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) - This add on allows you to train students to earn an instrument rating. While the CFI initial only allows you to train Private and Commercial. This is one of the easier add on as well but ultimately depends on how well you've kept up your instrument proficiency since you earned your instrument rating. I would estimate high here at another $5000, with another $2000 check ride.

That brings the total to around $90,000. This can be cut significantly with proper training, flying at the right times, flying frequently, proper structure, etc. This number can also be much much more if you fly only once a week, you never study/do your homework, you show up late, you only fly in the middle of the day when the winds are typically the strongest, etc.