Airline Pilot Salary

Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

The median airline pilot salary in the United States is $232,140 per year. Salaries range from $106,710 at the entry level to $463,830+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 103,560 airline pilot jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.9% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asPilotAirline PilotCaptainFirst Officer
Median Salary
$232,140
per year
Employment
103,560
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$106,710
25th percentile
$182,280
Median
$232,140
75th percentile
$384,440
90th percentile
$463,830

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.9%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

11,700
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Bachelor's degree
+ Less than 5 years experience

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Airline Pilot Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for airline pilots.

Airline pilots fly scheduled passenger + cargo aircraft for Part 121 airlines. Career splits: regional airlines (Envoy, SkyWest, Republic, PSA, Piedmont) β†’ major/legacy airlines (Delta, United, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska) β†’ wide-body captain (highest pay). Legacy captain pay hit new highs post-2023 contracts ($350-500k+ for senior wide-body captains at Delta/United/American). Path is regulated: 250 hrs commercial license β†’ 1,500 hrs ATP β†’ regional first officer β†’ captain β†’ major airline. Alternative paths: military β†’ major (fewest hours needed), collegiate flight programs (R-ATP at 1,000 hrs). Retirement mandatory at 65 (may extend to 67). Union membership at majors = ALPA; SWAPA at Southwest.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Aircraft systems knowledge
Deep understanding of type-rated aircraft (737, 320, 787, 777, etc.). Systems, limitations, emergency procedures.
Instrument flying (IFR) + weather judgment
Approach procedures, missed approaches, holds, low-visibility ops, deicing decisions.
Crew Resource Management (CRM)
Two-pilot cockpit dynamics. Speaking up + hierarchy. Threat + Error Management model.
Standardized procedures + checklists
Callouts, briefings, flow patterns. Discipline in adherence.
Communication (ATC + crew + PAX)
Radio proficiency including international. Passenger PAs. Cabin crew coordination.
Physical + mental health standards (Class 1 medical)
First-class FAA medical required every 6-12 months. HIMS program for mental health / substance concerns.
Regulatory currency (recurrent training)
Every 9 months at majors: simulator + line checks. Sim scenarios, engine failures, upset recovery, checkride discipline.

How to Become a Airline Pilot

  1. 1
    Private Pilot License (PPL) β€” first ~50 hrs
    Local Part 61 flight school. $10-18k typical. Or Part 141 collegiate program (higher structure).
  2. 2
    Instrument + Commercial + CFI ratings β€” through 250 hrs
    Path to commercial pilot. CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) is the primary way to accumulate hours as most pilots teach after their commercial.
  3. 3
    Time-building to 1,500 hrs (or R-ATP 1,000 hrs for grads)
    CFI instructing, aerial survey, banner towing, skydiver piloting, pipeline patrol. ~1,500 hrs typically 12-24 months post-commercial.
  4. 4
    ATP + regional airline first officer
    Regional carrier hiring, type rating provided during initial training. Starting pay now $90-100k+ first year at most regionals (huge increases 2022-2024).
  5. 5
    Regional captain (usually 12-24 months)
    Upgrade timeline depends on hiring pace. Regional captain pay $120-180k.
  6. 6
    Major airline first officer
    Big pay + benefit jump. First officer at legacy $110-250k depending on aircraft + tenure. Seniority is EVERYTHING at majors.
  7. 7
    Major airline captain (10-25 years total)
    Wide-body captain at top-end tenure: $350-500k+ base + per-diem + international premium.

Career Progression

CFI / Time-Builder
0-2 yrs$25-55k Β· Instructor pay + side jobs
  • β€’Teach primary + instrument students
  • β€’Accumulate 1,500 hrs total time
  • β€’Maintain professional discipline
Next: Regional First Officer.
Regional Airline First Officer
2-4 yrs$90-125k first year post-2023 contracts Β· Year 3 $120-160k
  • β€’FO on CRJ, ERJ, Q400
  • β€’Line flying 70-80 hrs/mo
  • β€’Building airline experience
Next: Regional captain.
Regional Airline Captain
3-6 yrs$140-200k Β· Year 5-10 $180-240k
  • β€’Left seat on regional jet
  • β€’PIC responsibility
  • β€’Mentor first officers
Next: Major airline first officer.
Major / Legacy Airline First Officer
5-10 yrs$130-260k depending on aircraft + tenure
  • β€’FO on 737/320/787/777
  • β€’Domestic + international routes
  • β€’Seniority accumulation
Next: Major airline captain.
Major Airline Captain (narrowbody)
10-20 yrs$280-420k + per-diem + international pay
  • β€’Captain on 737/320 fleet
  • β€’Domestic + short-haul international
  • β€’Standards + check airman opportunities
Next: Widebody captain (highest seniority).
Major Airline Captain (widebody)
18+ yrs$400-550k+ Β· Top-of-scale wide-body $500-600k
  • β€’777/787/A350 captain
  • β€’International long-haul
  • β€’Highest-paying role at airline

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a situation where you had to make a critical in-flight decision.situational
STAR. Real scenario: engine issue, weather diversion, medical emergency, unruly passenger, mechanical. Threat + Error Management framework. CRM with FO/crew/dispatch. Decision + outcome + debrief lesson. Airlines LOVE decision-making stories with clear ADM (Aeronautical Decision Making).
Q2. Tell me about a mistake you made in the cockpit.behavioral
STAR. Real error. Ownership + no blaming. Learning + procedural fix. Never hide errors β€” safety culture requires disclosure. Airlines screen out ego + poor safety culture. Common answer: procedural deviation caught + corrected + reported via ASAP.
Q3. Describe a difficult captain / FO / crew member you worked with.behavioral
STAR. Professional handling. Never bad-mouth. Focus on communication + resolution + flight safety. Escalation only when safety-critical. Screens for CRM + emotional maturity.
Q4. Why our airline specifically?culture
Research required. Concrete citation: 'Your fleet mix + growth trajectory + culture per crewmember discussions match my career target.' Personal connection (base city, aircraft interest, fleet stability). Not: 'Highest pay.'
Q5. What's your view on automation vs. manual flying?technical
Concrete: 'Use automation appropriately for workload management, monitor it actively, hand-fly to maintain proficiency when workload permits.' Reference AF447 + Asiana 214 lessons. Screens for professional balance.

Resume Template β€” Regional Airline First Officer (transitioning to major)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Regional Airline First Officer (transitioning to major)
  • β–ΈFirst Officer, [Regional Airline] on ERJ-175. 3,200 total flight hours, 2,100 turbine PIC-eligible.
  • β–ΈATP + Type Rating (ERJ-170/175). Class 1 Medical, current. First-attempt checkride pass rate: 100%.
  • β–ΈNamed crew of the quarter Q3 2024 for safety observation report leading to fleet-wide procedural change.
  • β–ΈVolunteer Safety Committee representative for [regional]. Contributed to ASAP + ATOS voluntary safety programs.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Failed checkride without honest disclosure.
  • βœ—DUI or criminal history without full transparency.
  • βœ—Weak stick + rudder skills (basic maneuvers).
  • βœ—Any minimization of safety culture (checklists, briefings, CRM).
  • βœ—Bad-mouthing prior employer / instructor / captain.
  • βœ—Overconfidence β€” screens against 'sky god' personality.
  • βœ—Missing currency (BFR, IPC, medical) without explanation.
  • βœ—Inability to articulate a personal mistake and its lesson.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Seniority is the primary lever β€” bid year + hiring date dominates pay + schedule.
  • βœ“Sign-on bonuses at regionals: $30-100k+ post-2022 hiring surge.
  • βœ“Tuition + training loan reimbursement.
  • βœ“Domicile choice (base city selection).
  • βœ“Aircraft type + upgrade priority.
  • βœ“Section 401(k) match + profit sharing (up to 15-20% of pay at legacy).
  • βœ“Non-rev travel benefits for family.
  • βœ“Health insurance + retiree medical.

Airline Pilot Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired airline pilots. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
  • βœ“ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Airline Pilot Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 12 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 8 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
  • βœ“ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
βœ“ 7-day money-back guarantee β€” no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

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Airline Pilot Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$98K
$618Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Georgia
$618K
+166%
Idaho
$508K
+119%
Michigan
$429K
+85%
California
$354K
+52%
Kentucky
$351K
+51%
Colorado
$307K
+32%
Illinois
$293K
+26%
New York
$255K
+10%
Alaska
$232K
+0%
Washington
$230K
-1%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Georgia$618,090+166.3%
Idaho$507,640+118.7%
Michigan$428,570+84.6%
California$353,900+52.5%
Kentucky$350,950+51.2%
Colorado$307,490+32.5%
Illinois$293,490+26.4%
New York$255,240+10.0%
Alaska$232,140+0.0%
Washington$229,900-1.0%
1–10 of 37

Airline Pilot Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$618,090+166.3%
Boise City, ID$507,640+118.7%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$428,570+84.6%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$374,680+61.4%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$364,730+57.1%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$350,950+51.2%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$343,140+47.8%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$335,270+44.4%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$321,950+38.7%
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$307,690+32.5%
1–10 of 47
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A airline pilot earning $232,140/year would need 257 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 276 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how airline pilot salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Airline Pilot salary trend (2011–2024) β†’