Average Salary Range of a Pilot

Pilot salaries can vary greatly depend on various factors, such as pilot credentials, experience, job title, and pilot union agreements. Also, most people don’t realize that pilots are paid by the hour and not an annual salary. For example, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000 and there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots was $225,740 in 2022.

In the U.S., most pilots’ first paid job is the position of certified flight instructor. They first earn a private pilot license, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and instructor training, and then they teach others to fly. This is mainly because of the 2013 FAA “1,500-hour rule.” The rule requires all First Officers flying for commercial airlines to have accrued a minimum of 1,500 hours to qualify for their Air Transport Pilot (ATP) license. In order to log these required hours, pilots become instructors. This allows them to “build time” in their logbooks, hone their skills, teach new pilots, and get paid.

Most CFIs earn a modest $30-40 per hour, depending on the flight school. The critical component for U.S. pilots is that they can build their hours without having to rent the use of an airplane, which could be costly. Once they have earned their ATPL, pilots can expect to be hired as a junior First Officer with a regional airline at an hourly rate of $35-70, depending on the company.

First of all, remember that airline pilots are paid by the hour for actual hours flown. Federal law requires that airline pilots are to fly no more than 1,000 hours per year. This is to ensure they are well rested and ready to fly each time they enter the cockpit. Compare this to an average job where workers are expected to work 40 hours per week. Taking two weeks off for vacation, the average person works 2,000 hours per year – double that of a commercial pilot.

Pilots working for regional airlines typically make less than those employed by major carriers. Pilots of private aircraft and helicopters usually make less than those employed by commercial airlines. Pilots may also receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses, overtime pay and profit sharing. Some employers offer bonuses to pilots who fly a certain number of hours or reach a certain number of takeoffs and landings.

Also signing bonuses have become more common due to the pilot shortage, especially with regional airlines. Therefore, this is good news for pilots who have recently completed flight school and want to begin their aviation careers.

Flight pay is also subject to federal and state taxes. In addition to salary, many airlines offer additional benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance and retirement plans.