How Much Do Airline Pilots Make?
pilot airplane

Airline Pilot Salary

Airline Pilot Salary - If you are looking to become a pilot or are just curious how much a pilot makes, find out everything you need to know here.


Airline pilot salary is a great draw for many who like flying. Flying an aircraft is a lot of fun and a job that pays nice. A pilot is a very accountable person who is responsible for flying passengers from one place to another safely. Those who wish to become a pilot need a perfect vision and need several hours of training. Pilots can be local, or those who fly international flights or military aircraft. Military pilots fly with government aircrafts and can go into combat and non-combat operations. They have to take special training with aircraft and weapons. The commercial pilots who fly passengers and cargo have to fulfill a training and certification phase. Theoretical studies are part of the training programs, and these differ from one country to another for all categories of pilots.

After getting the required qualifications, they receive the aviator insignia to display on their uniforms. All airline crews can be seen wearing their badges when on duty.

If you want to enter the exciting career of flying, first get a Private Pilot License, or Certificate. The next step up will be Instrument Rating, or a Multi-Engine Rating approval. You will be able to fly for private companies and individuals with these credentials.

When looking to enter a professional career, you will need to get a Commercial Pilot License. After a few years of flying you can attempt to become a captain by getting an Airline Transport Pilot License. These various levels of certification will help increase your annual income. Airline Pilot Salary depends on experience, the more hours you have flown, the better money you can make.

PayScale Airline Pilot Salary

Salary Report (United States)
PayScale
Get a FREE Salary Report

When applying to foreign companies you may need a Multi Crew Co-operating Certification as well. Many pilots are attracted by foreign carriers due to the better Airline Pilot Salary they offer. In USA, several women work as certified civilian pilots for private and commercial entities, besides flying military jets.

With more people moving around the globe, the demand for pilots has increased over the years. More airlines are adding modern aircraft to their fleet and look forward to airline pilot salaryhiring responsible and trained pilots to man their aircraft. Along with a handsome salary, pilots also get flexible schedules, free tickets for family, health care and retirement plans. The life of a pilot is filled with adventure and excitement, as they get to travel across the world and discover new places throughout their career. They get to visit many places and stay at fine hotels during flights all for free. Every year they can fly their families, along with themselves to enjoy a nice family vacation at the place of their choice. Kids love a family vacation at a foreign location

Major Airline Pilot Salary

When you join American Airlines, for the first year, you will earn around $31,080, and by the time you get to be captain a nice $123,420. Delta pays slightly better, where you can earn between, $50,000-204,000. Those who work for Southwest Airlines enjoy between $42,960-159,000 per annum. All salaries are based on experience like at all other jobs.

UPS is a courier service, and their pilots make anywhere from $26,000-200,500. Competitor Airborne Express hires its pilots at $28,536 while captains make $146,184 per annum. The company was bought off by DHL in 2003. The courier companies offer a lower start up but working for them offers a great experience. The industry is expected to grow in the coming decade with more job openings for new pilots.

Besides the local scene, there are hundreds of airlines that are looking for good pilots. Some of these offer more than $200,000 per annum as an airline pilot salary, besides good benefits. Fly the latest aircraft from Airbus and Boeing and gain more international experience. After 5 years of successfully working with an American airline, you can apply to higher-paying airlines such as Saudi and Emirates. The Middle East has many opportunities in the private sector as well. The rich and affluent around the globe use their own aircraft, and you can even try to work as a private pilot with them.

Pilots have an exciting life, and you can enter the career after proper training. America offers great benefits for pilots, while the need for more pilots is on the rise. All in all, the airline pilot salary is a very motivating factor to learn flying.

↑ Back to Top
, , , , , ,