How Much Do Pilots Make? Average Airline Pilot Salaries

Many people know that the average pilot salary is well above average, it's no secret. We wrote about this in our article on the best-paid professions, but today it's time for more details. From this article, you'll learn how much do pilots make, what qualifications are required and whether this profession definitely comes with benefits alone.

Low-cost airlines’ average pilot salary

Average pilot salary depends on multiple factors. Probably the most important of these, besides experience, is the company you work for. The differences between airlines can be huge.

Budget airlines are trying to sell tickets at the lowest possible price. Unfortunately, this forces a series of savings that affect not only passengers (limited space, luggage strict restrictions, no snacks) but also pilots.

Here are some low-cost airlines:

• AirAsia
• Scoot
• Southwest Airlines
• Ryanair
• EasyJet

How much does a pilot make in American low-cost airlines? Southwest pays first officers between $53,000 and $100,000 a year, but a captain can expect up to $240,000 a year.

Rates in Europe are not so attractive. Airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet offer entry-level pilots about $35,000 a year (net), while captains can expect $125-150,000 a year, but you have to work many hours a week to earn such sums.

Regular airlines

There are companies that offer a higher standard of service than typical budget airlines. Often, tickets turn out to be just a little more expensive, as companies like Ryanair and Wizzair make a lot of money on extra options. Many airlines offer the opportunity to take up to 23 kilograms of luggage with you, while low-cost airlines require an additional fee.

Typical airlines in this segment are:

• Lufthansa
• Finnair
• American airlines
• SAS
• Austrian airlines
• Qantas

How much do airline pilots make in Lufthansa or Finnair? First officers flying short routes earn about 60 thousand euros a year. Associate captains earn a little over 90 thousand euros a year.

Pilots who operate large aircraft flying to other continents receive more, even up to 210 thousand euros a year, but commercial airline pilot salary is strongly related to experience. To earn more than 150 thousand euros you need to spend a minimum of 7 thousand hours in the air.

Some airlines offer their employees additional perks, such as a staff apartment, car or laundry vouchers. The value of benefits can reach up to $30,000 a year, although much depends on the position in the company and the nature of the job.

Premium airlines

Some airlines offer premium services. Very often they are used by managers or entrepreneurs, for whom price is not the most important selection criterion. The best airlines use modern and luxurious aircraft, offer their customers the use of VIP lounges at airports, and take special care of the high quality of staff. Commercial airline pilot salaries at premium airlines can be 5 times higher than at low-costs!

Typical premium airlines are:

• Emirates
• Qatar airways
• Etihad
• Singapore airlines

How much does a pilot make in such a company? A first officer at Emirates can expect about $145,000 a year, and a captain can earn $190,000 a year. The stated earnings are after taxes.

These amounts do not seem high. Do pilots at Arab airlines really earn less than what Lufthansa would pay them? Absolutely not. Emirates, Qatar airways and Etihad offer a range of perks, such as up to $4,000 a month for housing, an additional payment for every flight taken, and free meals at high-end restaurants. Unofficially, pilots earn as much as $280,000 a year.

ATPL as an investment?

ATPL or Airline Transport Pilot License is the highest civilian aviation license. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to get an airline pilot license, costing up to $80,000. On top of that, there are a number of additional ratings that allow transoceanic flights, ice landings or training other pilots.

On the other hand, we have already mentioned how much do airline pilots make. Even at budget airlines, you'll earn enough to pay off the loan for your license in a few years, and more and more companies are free flight training on the condition that you sign an employment contract for the next feoffering w years.

The ATPL license is a very useful tool, which in 90% of cases is necessary for the work of a commercial pilot. If you are able to get the money, and thinking about being a pilot, you should consider it an investment in yourself.

What effects on salary?

Commercial airlines pilot salary depends on competence, experience, the type of aircraft one flies and current market conditions.

If you have an ATPL and all the certificates, the skills you have are highly desired by employers. Virtually every airline is now short of pilots, so HR departments are competing to offer higher and higher wages.

Skills are not everything. Although international aviation law imposes a minimum of experience for pilots, some airlines are raising the requirements. Beginning pilots often work for low-cost airlines, like Ryanair, Southwest or Wizzair. Over time, they may find jobs with better companies.

ATPL is not enough, because each aircraft model requires the necessary training for the crew. Boeing 737 commercial airline pilot salary will be lower than for an Airbus A380 pilot because the Boeing 737 is a more popular model. In addition, the Airbus A380 is a long-haul aircraft, used on routes such as New York-Tokyo or Melbourne-San Francisco. No one likes to spend many days away from home, so airlines offer allowances for long-haul flights.

We have already written how much do pilots make a year. The salaries seem extremely attractive, but the situation in the sector is not all that good. The risk of global recession continues to grow, and the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us that pilots can also lose their jobs. When planning a career as a pilot, it is worthwhile to take care of your financial freedom well in advance.