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Flying is a rewarding career, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction. Pilots undertake intensive training to develop a highly unique skill set. As a result, commercial pilots are paid well and today, enjoy the benefits of a high-demand career in a growing job market.
To alleviate a spike in demand post-pandemic coupled with a major labor shortage, airlines are now offering dramatic pay increases to pilots in order to retain and attract new talent.
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Annual Pilot Salary Range
Regional Airline Pilot Pay | $50,000 — $205,940 |
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According to The May 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180. In addition to annual earnings, pilots take part in company health, life and disability insurance, and retirement plans. In many cases, these plans exceed what employees in other fields receive.
What Can Airline Pilots Plan to Actually Earn? How Much Airline Pilots Make Per Year
At a Glance Airline Pilot Pay Overview
Median Airline Pilot Salary | $202,180 |
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Hour Flown Per Month | 85 Hours |
Factors Affecting Pay | Experience, Airline, Aircraft |
In the May 2021 report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the range of salaries for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers from less than $100,110 a year, to the highest 10 percent earning more than $208,000. However, these numbers only give us a glimpse of how much a pilot earns and how those earnings change over a career.
Commercial Airline Pilot — A Ten Million Dollar Career
With union protections and seniority system, job security and guaranteed earnings, advancement at the established airlines are excellent. Established airline pilots are paid very well, with the annual earnings of senior captains around $400,000, some pilots can expect a ten million dollar career in total earnings, illustrated below according to the typical career progression.
*Graph based on SkyWest Airlines and Delta Air Lines pay scales and are for illustration purposes, not promises of future earnings.
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Factors Affecting Pilot Salary
Airline pilot salary varies and can range anywhere from $50,000 per year to several hundred thousand per year depending on:
What is a Regional Airline?
Flying at a regional airline is a likely first step for many pilots. However, climbing to the ranks of Captain at a major airline is the pinnacle of a pilot's career.
Which Airline Company?
There are a variety of pay, benefits, and bonus packages dependent on each airline company. ATP actively maintains hiring partnerships with 38 major and regional airlines.
What is Pilot Seniority
A pilot's experience level (pilot seniority) is measured by how long they have been with a company. Airlines operate on a seniority-based system and seniority is everything as an airline pilot.
What is a Captain and First Officer?
Your first stop after training and flight instructing will probably be flying as a First Officer. After gaining experience, you will upgrade to Captain. Upgrading not only increases your salary, but usually comes with substantial bonuses.
Related FAQs Airline Career Pilot Program
What are the eligibility requirements for becoming an airline pilot?
How do I become a pilot?
How do I become a pilot for United Airlines?
How do I become a pilot for American Airlines?
Do I need a college degree to be a pilot?
How long does it take to become a pilot?
How long does it take to become a commercial airline pilot?
What is airline seniority?
What is a regional airline pilot's salary?
How much does it cost to become a commercial pilot?
What pilot training programs are available?
What is a student pilot certificate?
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What is a commercial pilot license?
How to become a certified flight instructor (CFI)?
How to earn your ATP certificate?
How much do airline pilots make?
What is the current airline pilot hiring outlook?
What are the effects of COVID-19 on the airline industry?
What are the eligibility requirements for becoming an airline pilot?
Summary of educational, medical, legal, certification and qualification requirements to become a commercial pilot and fly for major and regional airlines.
What are the eligibility requirements for becoming an airline pilot?»
How do I become a pilot?
You can become a pilot. Learn how to become a pilot and get your pilot license, including requirements, eligibility, how long it takes, and cost.
How do I become a pilot for United Airlines®?
ATP Flight School is the nation’s leader in airline-oriented flight training and has partnered with United to provide ATP students the fastest path to a successful pilot career with United. Learn more about United AviateSM.
How do I become a pilot for American Airlines?
Accelerated pilot cadet program, offering a proven path to a pilot career at American Airlines.
Do I need a college degree to be a pilot?
No, you don't need a college degree to become a pilot. Learn more about what the college education requirements are to become an airline pilot.
How long does it take to become a pilot?
It takes two months to become a private pilot. In two years, you can become a commercial airline pilot. Learn how you can become a pilot with ATP Flight School.
How long does it take to become a commercial airline pilot?
Enroll in accelerated flight training with ATP and go from zero experience to a commercial airline pilot, with 1500 hours, in two years. Learn how you can become an airline pilot with ATP Flight School.
How long does it take to become a commercial airline pilot?»
What is airline seniority?
Airlines operate on a seniority-based system. Learn what this means for your career and why getting to the airlines first is important.
What is a regional airline pilot's salary?
The shortage of pilots qualified to fly for the airlines is causing regional airlines to offer signing bonuses, tuition reimbursem*nt, and other incentives. Learn more about how much you will earn as a pilot.
How much does it cost to become a commercial pilot?
ATP provides up-front, fixed-cost pricing in a way that differentiates us from most other flight schools and academies. With over 30 years of experience, ATP designs our flight training programs with enough flight time for the vast majority of students to be successful.
What pilot training programs are available?
Complete list of aviation courses, flight training, and career pilot programs offered by ATP Flight School.
What is a student pilot certificate?
The student pilot certificate is a requirement in order to fly a powered aircraft by yourself, known as “soloing” in aviation.
What is a private pilot license?
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first major milestone on the road to a career as a pilot. Learn about the private pilot license; including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and how to earn your private pilot license.
What is a commercial pilot license?
Learn all about a commercial pilot license, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and how to earn this pilot license.
How to become a certified flight instructor (CFI)?
Learn all about earning your flight instructor certification, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and salary information.
Learn all about earning your flight instructor certification, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and salary information.
How to earn your ATP certificate?
An ATP certification will also open a wide array of pilot job opportunities with various corporate and private air carriers. Learn more about the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification, such as, eligibility requirements and flight experience requirements.
How much do airline pilots make?
Flying is a rewarding career, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction. Pilots undertake intensive training to develop a highly unique skill set. As a result, commercial pilots are paid well.
What is the current airline pilot hiring outlook?
Commercial airline pilot job career information; airline pilot hiring, pilot salary, retirement numbers, military pilot population reduction and the overall upcoming pilot shortage discussion.
What are the effects of COVID-19 on the airline industry?
Long-term pilot career outlook in response to COVID-19, including long term hiring trends, projections, retirements, and the effects of postponing flight training.
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