Airline pilot pay covers a very wide range. In the United States a regional first officer might start around $90,000, while a senior captain at a major airline can earn $300,000 to $400,000 or more. The median for airline pilots sits around $200,000. Where you land in that range depends on your airline, your aircraft, and above all your seniority.
Like cabin crew, airline pilots are generally paid by the flight hour, against a pay scale written into their union contract. The rate rises with each year of service and steps up by aircraft type and seat. A captain earns more than a first officer, and pilots flying larger wide-body jets earn more than those on smaller regional aircraft. Guarantees, per diem and profit sharing add to the total.
Most pilots begin at a regional airline. Starting pay there has improved a great deal in recent years and now often begins around $90,000 to $100,000 for a first officer. Moving to a major airline is the big jump: first officers at majors commonly earn $150,000 to $250,000, and senior captains can exceed $300,000 to $400,000. The path from regional to major is driven by hiring demand and seniority.
| Role | Approximate annual range (US) |
|---|---|
| Regional first officer | $90,000 to $130,000 |
| Regional captain | $120,000 to $180,000 |
| Major airline first officer | $150,000 to $250,000 |
| Major airline captain | $250,000 to $400,000+ |
Seniority controls almost everything in an airline pilot’s career: your pay step, the aircraft you fly, your schedule and your upgrade to captain. Pilots who move to a larger aircraft or upgrade seats see the biggest pay increases. Because these numbers come straight from contracts that are renegotiated periodically, treat the ranges above as a guide and check the current pay scale for any specific airline.
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US airline pilots earn from around $90,000 as a regional first officer to $300,000 to $400,000 or more as a senior major-airline captain, with a median near $200,000.
First officers earn less than captains on the same aircraft. At a major airline a first officer might earn $150,000 to $250,000 while the captain earns well over $300,000.
Yes, regional pay is lower than major-airline pay, though starting salaries have risen sharply and often begin around $90,000 to $100,000 for a first officer.
Mainly the airline, the aircraft, the seat (captain or first officer) and seniority. Pay scales are set in union contracts and rise with years of service.