• An Airline Pilot’s Salary: How Much Do Pilots Earn?

    The Definitive Salary Guide

    A pilot managing an aircraft

The question of how much an airline pilot earns is one of the most frequently searched topics in aviation—and for good reason.

Far from being a static figure, a pilot’s pay cheque is a complex remuneration package that acts as a direct measure of their experience, rank, and the region they fly in.

The industry’s current global shortage of qualified personnel has further pushed earnings into the top tier of all professional careers.

This post offers the most comprehensive breakdown of commercial pilot salaries available online. We dissect basic pay, bonuses, and allowance structures, chart the career progression from Instructor to Captain, and provide up-to-date regional salary tables, including data from Spain, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia. Prepare to discover the precise financial rewards of reaching the flight deck.

Charting Your Earnings: The Pilot Career Path

A commercial pilot’s salary is inherently linked to their professional growth. Remuneration does not just increase; it escalates at specific career milestones.

Generally, the financial pathway can be segmented into three pivotal stages:

  1. Flight Instructor: This initial phase is crucial for building the required flight hours (Time Building) for the ATPL licence. It serves as a necessary entry point into the industry, allowing aspiring pilots to earn their first income while accumulating experience.
  2. First Officer (FO): After securing the ATPL, a pilot is hired by an airline. The FO supports the Captain, handling monitoring systems and communications. While the starting salary is low relative to a Captain’s, it establishes the professional benchmark for their career earnings.
  3. Captain: Reaching the rank of Captain is the pinnacle of the profession and is rewarded with a major salary jump. The Captain assumes ultimate legal and operational responsibility for the aircraft, passengers, and crew, with compensation structured to reflect this immense burden of command, leadership, and experience.

Collective Agreements: The Salary Backbone

In Spain and also in the wider European Union, pilot pay is fundamentally determined by collective labour agreements signed between airlines and pilot unions.

Unlike the often aggressive salary movements seen in the US market, these agreements provide a stable framework defining salary progression, flight hours, allowances, and other benefits.

The Spanish Airline Pilots’ Association (SEPLA) serves as the chief negotiator for these agreements among Spain-based carriers.

Deconstructing Pilot Pay: Basic Salary and Allowances

A pilot’s annual income is rarely just a basic salary. It is an aggregate sum composed of several components:

  • Flight Hours: Pay is calculated per effective flight hour. Simply put, more flying means more income.
  • Night Hours: Flights conducted during unsocial hours or overnight often attract additional pay premiums.
  • Per Diem: This is a daily allowance (viáticos) to cover the pilot’s food and accommodation expenses while operating away from their home base.
  • Seniority Bonus: Long-term commitment is rewarded, with experience leading to a progressive pay increase throughout the pilot’s tenure.
  • Responsibility Bonuses: Extra pay is given for taking on additional duties, such as flight instructor.

Rank is the Chief Determinant

The number of stripes on your epaulette, aka your rank, defines the pay scale more than any other single factor:

  • First Officer (FO): This entry-level role is typically assigned to pilots with less than 500 accumulated flight hours and sits on the lowest pay scale.
  • Senior First Officer (SFO): The salary bracket increases significantly once the pilot exceeds 500 accumulated flight hours. The SFO salary is a clear step up from the initial FO pay.
  • Captain: Pay for this rank sees the most significant increase, reflecting the years of dedication and greater legal and operational responsibilities.

The Influence of Aircraft Type

The complexity and size of the aircraft a pilot operates directly impact their earnings.

Pilots flying wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 or the Airbus A350, typically command higher salaries than those flying narrow-body planes.

This premium compensates for the greater operational complexity, higher responsibility, and the cost of more specialised training and qualification (Type Rating).

Additional Duties: Boosting Your Income

A pilot’s total income is not limited to flight pay; supplementary duties are highly compensated.

Examining First Officers during their first commercial flights or carrying out administrative roles are valued additional duties.

Furthermore, being an Airline Trainer—responsible for standardising and teaching company procedures to new pilots—is a highly sought-after and well-paid bonus role.

The Base Chief Role

An airline base serves as a management and operational hub away from the airline’s main headquarters.

A Captain may also be appointed as Base Chief, granting them the highest authority at that airport location.

Their salary is increased to reflect the extra responsibility of managing local pilot rosters and ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Additional Benefits and Allowances

A pilot’s basic pay is supplemented by benefits secured through collective agreements:

  • Daily Allowances: Compensation to cover meals and accommodation when crew stay overnight away from their home base.
  • Non-Salary Benefits: Agreements often mandate essential benefits such as pension schemes, loss-of-licence insurance, private medical insurance, and free or heavily discounted air travel for the pilot and their families.
  • Bonuses and Premiums: Additional payments are often awarded for flying unsocial hours or for performing duties outside the flight deck. Some agreements also include performance bonuses linked to the company’s financial success.
  • A flight instructor teaching a student

SPAIN: How much does an airline pilot earn in Spain?

The salary of a pilot in Spain is the main concern for our future pilots, so we will start here.

Take note: The minimum base salary for a newly qualified pilot in Spain is around €22,000 gross per year, but this figure is only the starting point (the minimum base without any extras). In addition, depending on the company, the minimum can rise to €28,000 gross per year.

Let’s go a little further. For our survey, we will take into account airlines that have a base of operations in Spain, as they are required to comply with Spanish labor legislation, regardless of their origin.

Comparative Salary Data in Spain by Airline and Rank

It is important to note that, due to the private nature of collective agreements and the lack of up-to-date public data, it is not possible to obtain accurate and rigorous figures for all airlines based in Spain.

Therefore, the table includes those for which we have been able to find recent and official data in documents such as the Official State Gazette (BOE) or SEPLA communications.

Comparison of commercial pilot salaries in Spain at the main airlines.
AirlineFirst OfficerCaptainSources

IBERIA

€40,000 – €80,000
gross per annum.
Up to €120,000
gross per annum.
SEPLA
Iberia Pilots Collective Agreement

VUELING

€40,000€ – €70,000
gross per annum.
€70,000 – €115,000
gross per annum.
SEPLA
VII Vueling Collective Agreement

AIR EUROPA

Around €30,000
gross per annum.
€70,000 – €100,000
gross per annum.
SEPLA
Air Europa Collective Agreement

RYANAIR

€28,000€ – €45,000
gross per annum.
Over €100,000
gross per annum.
BOE
DAC Ryanair Pilots Collective Agreement

Regarding other airlines:

Iberia Express

At present, pilots have not signed a new agreement updating their working conditions, so no official, recent data on their salaries is available.

Binter Canarias

The airline withdrew from its collective agreement in 2013, so the salary conditions of its pilots are not governed by a public document, but by the Workers’ Statute and internal agreements.

easyJet, Jet2.com, Volotea, Swiftair and Wizz Air

Despite being based in Spain, information on their collective agreements and salary scales is not publicly available or is not up to date, which prevents verified data from being included in the comparison.

However, you can take a look at the approximate salaries of their pilots in Europe later in the text.

EUROPE: How much does an airline pilot earn in Europe?

Pilot pay across Europe is as varied as the continent itself, with each country and carrier implementing its own pay structure.

Generally, flagship carriers in robust economies (such as Germany, France, or the UK) offer higher salaries than low-cost carriers (LCCs) or airlines from countries with lower purchasing power.

The business model also influences pilots pay, with LCCs like Ryanair and Wizz Air having different pay scales than traditional giants like Lufthansa and Air France.

Below is a comparative breakdown of pilot salaries at major European carriers.

Comparative Salary Data in Europe by Airline and Rank

Comparison of commercial pilot salaries in Europe at the main airlines.
AirlineFist OfficerCaptainSources

LUFTHANSA

€60,000 – €100,000
gross per annum.
Up to €250,000€
gross per annum.
Vereinigung Cockpit (Sindicato de Pilotos de Lufthansa).

AIR FRANCE

Around €70,000€
gross per annum.
€100,000 – €300,000
gross per annum.
Ladromemontagne.fr
1001interims.com

BRITISH AIRWAYS

€47,000 – €140,000
gross per annum.
€115,000 – €194,000
gross per annum.
Wise Campus

KLM

€40,000 – €65,000
gross per annum.
Not available.KLM Careers

TURKISH AIRLINES

€84,000 – €132,000
gross per annum.
€174,000 – €198,000
gross per annum.
Aviation A2Z

SAS

€50,000 – €57,000
gross per annum.
€106,000 – €150,000
gross per annum.
PilotsGrobal
Pilot Job Network

SWISS

€44,000 – €140,000
gross per annum.
Over €130,000 gross per annum (starting salary).Jobs.ch

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES

€80,000 – €135,000
gross per annum.
€150,000 – €215,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network

BRUSSELS AIRLINES

€75,000 – €126,000
gross per annum.
€133,000 – €202,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network

ALITALIA

€60,000 gross per annum (starting salary).Not available.Pilot Jobs Network (datos de 2011).

AER LINGUS

€72,000 gross per annum (starting salary).€125,000 – €275,000
gross per annum.
Aviation A2Z
Aer Lingus Careers

FINNAIR

€54,000 – €156,000
gross per annum.
Not available.Aviation A2Z

LOT POLISH

€32,000 – €50,000
gross per annum.
€80,000 – €100,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

WIZZ AIR

€42,000 – €65,000
gross per annum.
€117,000 – €170,000
gross per annum.
Aviation A2Z (data from 2025).

NORWEGIAN

€45,000 – €110,000
gross per annum.
€100,000 – €165,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2025).

RYANAIR

€33,000 – €55,000€
gross per annum.
Up to €120,000
gross per annum.
Global Payroll Association (data from 2022).

EASYJET

€40,000 – €70,000
gross per annum.
€114,000 – €184,000
gross per annum.
Aviation A2Z (data from 2025).

VUELING

€40,000 – €70,000
gross per annum.
€70,000 – €115,000
gross per annum.
SEPLA
VII Vueling Colective Agreement

EUROWINGS

€50,000 – €80,000
gross per annum.
€90,000 – €150,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network
  • A pilot managing an aircraft

USA: Commercial Pilot Earnings in the United States

The US pilot job market is currently the most lucrative in the world, having undergone the most dramatic salary changes in recent years.

Pay is significantly higher than in Europe, primarily due to an acute historic pilot shortage and the strength of their labour agreements.

Unlike the European framework, the US market is heavily influenced by powerful union contracts, which have secured unprecedented pay rises—in some cases, up to 40% or 50% in a single agreement.

This salary boom has cemented the pilot profession as one of the highest-paid in the country, particularly at the legacy carriers.

We break down the figures below to illustrate the magnitude of potential earnings.

Comparative Salary Data in the USA by Airline and Rank

Comparison of commercial pilot salaries in the USA at the main airlines.
AirlineFirst OfficesCaptainSources

AMERICAN AIRLINES

$120,000 – $220,000
gross per annum.
Up to $600.000 gross per annum (veterans).ALPA Pilots Agreement (data from 2023).

DELTA AIR LINES

$120,000 – $220,000
gross per annum.
Up to $600.000 gross per annum (veterans).ALPA Pilots Agreement (data from 2023).

UNITED AIRLINES

$120,000 – $220,000
gross per annum.
Up to $600.000 gross per annum (veterans).ALPA Pilots Agreement (data from 2023).

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

$100,000 – $190,000
gross per annum.
Over $300.000 gross per annum (veterans).ATP Flight School (based on union agreements).

JETBLUE AIRWAYS

$90,000 – $150,000
gross per annum.
$175,000 – $275,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

ALASKA AIRLINES

$100,000 – $175,000
gross per annum.
$160,000 – $280,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

SPIRIT AIRLINES

$125,000 – $200,000
gross per annum.
$220,000 – $320,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

FRONTIER AIRLINES

$90,000 – $150,000
gross per annum.
$160,000 – $260,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

ALLEGIANT AIR

$80,000 – $140,000
gross per annum.
$170,000 – $250,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

$105,000 – $185,000
gross per annum.
$220,000 – $350,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

SKYWEST AIRLINES

$70,000 – $130,000
gross per annum.
$130,000 – $200,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

REPUBLIC AIRWAYS

$75,000 – $135,000
gross per annum.
$125,000 – $205,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

ENVOY AIR

$65,000 – $125,000
gross per annum.
$115,000 – $190,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

PIEDMONT AIRLINES

$70,000 – $130,000
gross per annum.
$120,000 – $200,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

MESA AIRLINES

$60,000 – $115,000
gross per annum.
$100,000 – $170,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

GOJET AIRLINES

$65,000 – $120,000
gross per annum.
$105,000 – $180,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

HORIZON AIR

$70,000 – $130,000
gross per annum.
$125,000 – $210,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

PSA AIRLINES

$70,000 – $125,000
gross per annum.
$115,000 – $195,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

ENDEAVOR AIR

$75,000 – $135,000
gross per annum.
$125,000 – $210,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES

$85,000 – $150,000
gross per annum.
$140,000 – $230,000
gross per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

MIDDLE EAST: Commercial Pilots Pay

The pilot market in the Middle East has positioned itself as one of the most attractive global destinations due to the aggressive expansion of its major airlines.

The region is known for offering highly competitive salaries, with the added benefit that, in most cases, remuneration is tax-free.

Furthermore, these carriers frequently offer comprehensive compensation packages that supplement the basic salary with benefits such as high-quality housing allowances, medical insurance, air travel tickets for the family, and educational stipends for children.

This section details pilot pay at the main Gulf carriers to explain why the region is so highly sought-after.

Comparative Salary Data in Middle East by Airline and Rank

Comparison of commercial pilot salaries in the Middle East at major airlines.
AirlineFirst OfficerCaptainSources

EMIRATES

$104,000 – $197,000
net per annum.
Up to $320,000
net per annum.
Aviation A2Z
JobXDubai

QATAR AIRWAYS

$70,000 – $120,000
net per annum.
$150,000 – $250,000
net per annum.
Aviation A2Z

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Up to $138,000
net per annum.
Up to $117,000
net per annum.
Etihad Careers

SAUDIA

$95,000 – $145,000
net per annum.
$160,000 – $220,000
net per annum.
GrabJobs

OMAN AIR

$80,000 – $110,000
net per annum.
$140,000 – $170,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network


KUWAIT AIRWAYS

$45,000 – $100,000
net per annum.
$100,000 – $150,000
net per annum.
JobBridge

GULF AIR

$70,000 – $100,000
net per annum.
$120,000 – $160,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network

ROYAL JORDANIAN

$60,000 – $90,000
net per annum.
$100,000 – $140,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network

MIDDLE EAST AIRLINES

$50,000 – $80,000
net per annum.
$90,000 – $130,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network

EGYPTAIR

Not available.Not available.

ASIA: What Are Pilot Salaries Like?

The Asian continent is a key engine of global commercial aviation growth, with constantly increasing pilot demand.

This economic dynamism has created a very attractive job market, with salaries that often compete directly with those in the West.

Pay varies widely across Asia based on the economic strength of the country, the size of the airline, and its prestige.

We will analyse how major carriers in strong economies like China, Japan, and Singapore attract and retain top global talent with high salaries.

Comparative Salary Data in Asia by Airline and Rank

Comparison of commercial pilot salaries in Asia at major airlines.
AirlineFirst OfficerCaptainSources

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

$80,000 – $130,000
net per annum.
$180,000 – $280,000
net per annum.
Pilot Career Center (data from 2024).

JAPAN AIRLINES

$60,000 – $100,000
net per annum.
$140,000 – $200,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

ANA

$55,000 – $95,000
net per annum.
$130,000 – $190,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

CATHAY PACIFIC

$90,000 – $150,000
net per annum.
$180,000 – $270,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES

$120,000 – $200,000
net per annum.
$228,000 – $320,000
net per annum.
Yufeng Consulting
China Aviation Recruitment


CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES

$100,000 – $180,000
net per annum.
$200,000 – $300,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

AIR CHINA

$110,000 – $190,000
net per annum.
$210,000 – $310,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2024).

EVA AIR

$70,000 – $120,000
net per annum.
$150,000 – $220,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

KOREAN AIR

$75,000 – $130,000
net per annum.
$160,000 – $250,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

ASIANA AIRLINES

$70,000 – $120,000
net per annum.
$150,000 – $240,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

$50,000 – $80,000
net per annum.
$120,000 – $180,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

THAI AIRWAYS

$45,000 – $75,000
net per annum.
$110,000 – $170,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

GARUDA INDONESIA

$40,000 – $70,000
net per annum.
$100,000 – $150,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

VIETNAM AIRLINES

$45,000 – $75,000
net per annum.
$110,000 – $160,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

$35,000 – $60,000
net per annum.
$90,000 – $140,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

AIR INDIA

$40,000 – $70,000
net per annum.
$100,000 – $160,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

INDIGO

$30,000 – $55,000
net per annum.
$80,000 – $130,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

CEBU PACIFIC

$30,000 – $50,000
net per annum.
$70,000 – $120,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

LION AIR

$35,000 – $55,000
net per annum.
$80,000 – $130,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

AIR ASIA

$40,000 – $75,000
net per annum.
$90,000 – $150,000
net per annum.
Pilot Jobs Network (data from 2023).

Other Regions: Global Pilot Pay Overview

While Europe, the US, and the Middle East hold the most attractive opportunities for Western pilots, the global market offers other viable options.

However, data from these regions is often less transparent and subject to drastic variations. We offer a general overview below.

Africa

The African aviation market is expanding, with major hubs in the north and south of the continent.

Thus, airlines like Ethiopian Airlines or South African Airways are the largest and frequently recruit foreign pilots to meet demand.

Basic salaries may be lower than in Europe, but total compensation can be significantly increased with bonuses, productivity premiums, and sometimes benefits like housing assistance, especially for expatriate pilots.

South America

South American aviation features major carriers such as LATAM (operating across several countries) and Avianca.

While general salaries tend to be lower than in the US or Europe, some companies are heavily investing in expansion, which may lead to higher remuneration.

The primary advantage of these airlines is the valuable experience gained from flying highly diverse routes.

What Does a Retired Pilot Earn?

A pilot’s retirement in Spain is one of the most financially robust in the job market. Although the pension system is private, agreements are structured around three pillars that guarantee a high income level:

  1. State Pension: Pilots contribute to the Spanish state pension system like any other worker. Given their high salaries, they typically make full contributions throughout their career, ensuring a comprehensive state pension component.
  2. Company Pension Schemes: According to major Spanish airline collective agreements, the employer often contributes a significant percentage of the pilot’s salary to a robust private pension scheme (SEPLA, Collective Agreement). These defined contribution schemes are common at most major airlines.
  3. Private Savings Plans: Many pilots also maintain private savings plans or life insurance that supplement their primary pension.

Because retirement income is a private matter, unions like SEPLA negotiate collective agreements that guarantee a retirement plan which, in most cases, allows pilots to enjoy a pension of between 50% and 70% of their final salary.

Income After Retirement

Furthermore, many pilots choose not to fully retire; their decades of experience are so valuable that it allows them to remain active in the sector.

For example, it is common to see retired pilots working as instructors, simulator trainers for new generations, consultants for airlines, or even holding senior roles within air safety agencies.

These options allow them to stay connected to the industry they love, albeit with a reduced workload.

Why Do Pilots Earn Such a Good Salary?

The high pilot salary reflects the massive investment, dedication, and responsibility the profession demands. A pilot not only flies a plane but manages a career that never ends.

A Demanding Career with a High Initial Cost

Becoming a pilot is not like any other career. Training, whether through an integrated or modular program, is extremely rigorous and requires a great commitment, both in terms of time and finances.

In fact, before taking the first step, it is essential to carefully analyze pilot training costs in Spain, as technological specialization and the quality of instruction are what guarantee access to the highest salary levels in the sector.

Requires Constant Training

Training does not end upon obtaining the licence. A pilot must be in a constant cycle of learning and evaluation.

Every six months, they undergo exhaustive simulator checks to guarantee their flying skills and their ability to react to emergencies.

Added to this are medical examinations, refresher courses, and adaptation to new technologies and regulations, making the profession a lifelong commitment.

Entails Great Responsibility

A pilot is responsible for the safety of hundreds of passengers, their crew, and an aircraft valued at millions of euros.

This immense responsibility, which demands impeccable decision-making under pressure, is one of the main reasons for their high remuneration.

The pilot’s salary is how society and airlines value and compensate the safety they guarantee on every flight.

There Is a Pilot Shortage

In recent years, the aviation industry has experienced accelerated growth, and the demand for pilots has far exceeded the supply.

This shortage, especially visible in markets like the United States, has forced airlines into a ‘salary war’ to attract and retain the best professionals.

In this case, the law of supply and demand works in the pilot’s favour.

So, Would You Become a Pilot for the Salary or the Vocation?

A commercial pilot’s salary is undoubtedly a direct reflection of the immense responsibility, rigorous training, and constant commitment that the profession demands.

You should see the pay not as a gift, but as a well-deserved reward for guaranteeing the safety of hundreds of lives. Ultimately, aviation is a career for those with an adventurous spirit and a true passion for the sky.

If you are driven by challenge, continuous learning, and the possibility of seeing the world from a unique perspective, this job will provide you with much more than a salary.

Moreover, the pilot profession opens up a huge range of opportunities. Discover what they are in our post on the different career paths available to a pilot.

If this is your dream and you are ready to start building your future in aviation, we invite you to take the first step. Visit our ATPL Commercial Pilot Course page to find out all the details of the training that will take you to the skies.

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