Every pilot at some point in their life made the conscious decision to pursue a career in the skies. Each of these pilots has undergone a unique journey to reach their current position. Regardless of how they became a career pilot, they all made the decision to undergo flight training and persevere through the subsequent challenges.
For most pilots, one of the biggest factors to consider in deciding to pursue this career path is future pay. In this article, we will break down the averages one can expect at different stages of their career. The format of this article is intended to follow the pay scale that an aspiring pilot can expect throughout their career.
Note: The following information is intended to reflect general averages of pilot pay at the time of this writing. These are not fixed prices, and pilots should regularly check current pilot salaries as they are subject to change.
Certified Flight Instructor
Once a pilot has obtained their Commercial Pilot Certificate (CAX), they are eligible to fly for hire. However, it should be noted that this does not permit them to fly for an airline. To fly for an airline, a pilot must first obtain their Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP). This rating is typically obtained at a Regional Airline, and the training is paid for and provided by the airline. Before a pilot may begin this training, they are required to obtain 1500 flight hours. Presuming a student completes their CAX and Commercial Multi-Engine (CAXME) ratings at the minimum hours, they will have nearly 300 flight hours.
To build the rest of these hours, there are several options. However, here at Axiom Aviation, most students choose to stay as instructors and build their hours working as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). The amount of time one spends working as a CFI will vary tremendously. Every school will pay their instructors differently, so for simplicity, we will look at the time and pay scales of Axiom’s instructors.
For students who complete their CFI training in just under 300 flight hours, it will typically take between 1 and 3 years to build an additional 1200 hours. With the average amount of time being just shy of 2 years. These numbers anticipate that an instructor is working full-time. Brand new instructors will typically not be given a full load of students immediately. They will typically be given 1 or 2 every month until, after a few months, they have a full-time load and are making the average full-time instructor pay.
Pay can vary considerably from month to month, with a good average being around $3,000 per month. It should be noted that this will fluctuate based on how much an instructor flies and how many students they have, with some months being lower than average, whilst others are above average.
Certified Flight Instructor Average Annual Salary
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| $36,000 | $36,000 | $36,000 |
Regional Airlines
Once a pilot has accrued enough flight hours and the required ratings, they are eligible to be hired by an airline. However, Major Airlines tend to be more selective and only hire pilots with previous airline experience. For this reason, Regional Airlines tend to be the only airlines that hire pilots at ATP minimums. These airlines generally operate flights for larger carriers on a contract basis, with the majority of their flights being to smaller airports as they operate smaller aircraft (SkyWest Airlines, Horizon Air, Endeavor Air, Republic Airways, etc). Most pilots use the regionals as a stepping stone on their way to higher-paying jobs, but some choose to stay for the entirety of their careers.
Most airlines pay pilots on a per-flight-hour basis. Below is a chart of the average salary per year at the Regional Airlines.
Note: This does not include overtime pay, 401K contributions, or any benefits offered by the airlines; this only reflects base pay.
Regional Airline Pilot Average Annual Salary
| Year 1 FO | Year 2 FO | Year 1 Captain | Year 12 Captain |
| $90,000 | $94,000 | $120,000 | $200,000 |
Average Annual Salary Range for Regional Airline Pilots
| First Officer | Captain |
| $90,000-$105,000 | $120,000-$200,000 |
National Carriers
After a pilot has flown for a Regional Airline for a year or two, they are generally eligible to apply for a National Carrier. These Airlines operate differently from Regional Airlines but are not typically as large as the Legacy (Major) Airlines. National Carriers commonly include budget airlines (Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, etc) as well as many air cargo operators that primarily operate Part 135 Charter Operations (Kallitta Air, Atlas Air, National Airlines, etc). National Carriers typically pay more than Regional Airlines but less than Legacy Carriers.
Note: The term “Major Airline” is commonly used to refer to both Legacy and National Carriers, as it is not an official term.
Many pilots who work for a National Carrier will use the experience to help propel their journey to a Legacy Airline. While others choose to stay at a National Carrier for the remainder of their careers.
Below is a chart depicting the average annual base salary of pilots at National Carriers.
National Carrier Pilot Average Annual Salary
| Year 1 FO | Year 12 FO | Year 1 Captain | Year 12 Captain |
| $100,000 | $145,000 | $170,000 | $245,000 |
Annual Average Salary Range for National Carrier Pilots
| First Officer | Captain |
| $90,000-$150,000 | $160,000-$260,000 |
Legacy Airlines
The category of Legacy Airlines in the US is comprised not only of some of the largest and most successful flight operations in the country, but the entire world. These carriers form the backbone of passenger and cargo air travel. Pilots who fly for these airlines rarely leave before retirement, as these companies tend to pay their pilots well above the industry average. Some of the most notable Legacy Carriers include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, UPS, and FedEx.
Below is a chart depicting average annual salaries.
Legacy Carrier Pilot Average Annual Salary
| Year 1 FO | Year 12 FO | Year 1 Captain | Year 12 Captain |
| $92,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 | $280,000 |
Annual Average Salary Range for Legacy Airline Pilots
| First Officer | Captain |
| $90,000-$185,000 | $215,000-$300,000 |
Additional Thoughts
Throughout this article, we have examined the average annual salaries for airline pilots throughout the US. While these numbers are an accurate reflection of the base pay for most airline pilots, it should be noted that many pilots make far more than the base pay. Overtime at the airlines is unparalleled, as are many of the benefits, ranging from travel perks to retirement accounts.
Ultimately, the aviation industry has countless incredible job opportunities that pay well above the national average. We would encourage anyone and everyone who is looking to become a career pilot to further research pilot pay and benefits, as every company is different and the industry is always changing.
Interested in becoming a career pilot? Give us a call at (262)297-4568. Or email us at info@flyaxiom.com
Source: Airline Pilot Central