Salaries vary whether you’re with a legacy or regional airline. Factors include experience and equipment. As an airline pilot moves from First Officer to Captain and from a regional airline to a major airline their salary continues to increase. If you want to maximize your airline pilot pay, your goal should be to become a captain at a major airline.
Aircraft pilots in Russia earn more based on education level. Certificate or Diploma education pays the least. Higher education pays more.
Pilot salaries can be impressive!
- US High Flyers: Median annual salary is $202,180. Top earners make over $300,000.
- European Skies: Air France pilots earn €150,000. Lufthansa crews earn €9,000 monthly.
- Asia has a rapidly growing market with rising salaries.
Medical checks accompany pilots. They have responsibility for passengers’ lives. Earnings change over a career. Aviation education is expensive.
In the US, the average pilot salary is $134,630.
- New pilots typically earn $40,000 to $80,000 per year.
- Experienced pilots earn $80,000 to $150,000.
Passenger airline pilots often earn more than cargo pilots.
A worldwide pilot shortage is increasing salaries. Pilots earn an hourly wage and per diem. Most airlines guarantee minimum monthly hours.
In the UK, experienced pilots earn:
- £36,000-£48,000 as first officers.
- £54,000-£75,000 at medium airlines.
- Major airline captains earn £97,000-£140,000+.
An entry UK pilot earns around £25,000-£28,000. A senior captain earns up to £100,000, up to £170,000 for long-haul. Pilots typically out-earn other professions. Airline pilots are paid per flight hours. Experience brings higher earnings.
Do pilots make good money? A pilot’s salary is calculated by multiplying the number of flight hours by their hourly rate. For example, the year 1 pay rate for an Envoy first officer is $90 per hour. If the pilot flies 84 hours that month, they’ll receive $7,560. Plus, they’ll receive a per diem.
The median annual salary for airline pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers is $160,970. Pilots in the air transportation industry make a median of $173,780. The median salary for commercial pilots is $93,300.
A regional airline pilot in the U.S. typically starts out making $20,000-$40,000 per year.
What are the highest paid pilots? Senior captains working for major international airlines based in China, Netherlands, and Qatar. These pilots can earn between $300,000 to $327,000 per year. Long haul is more lucrative.
Captains at Qatar Airways earn $171,000 to $195,000.
In the US, median annual salary for airline pilots is $160,970. Most work for major scheduled airlines where median pay is $173,780. Starting salaries range from $20,000-$40,000 per year.
Southwest Airlines has the highest average pilot salary of $171,800.
- Most experienced pilots earn $256,400 annually.
- New pilots earn over $79,100 per year.
Airline pilots have higher salaries than cargo pilots due to different roles.
In summary, international airline senior captains have the top salaries that can exceed $300,000 annually. Short haul pays less than lucrative long haul routes.