How Much Do Pilots Make?

If you’re passionate about flying and considering a career as a pilot, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. The truth is, pilot salaries can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience level, employer, geographic location, and the type of flying you do. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors that affect pilot salaries and provide you with an overview of what you can expect to make.

The average annual wage for a pilot in the United States is $77,240, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the median annual wage, which is the midpoint of the wage range, is $59,330, meaning that half of all pilots earn less than this amount and half earn more. The top 10% of earners make more than $131,660 per year, while the bottom 10% earn less than $34,710.

Now that we have a general idea of the range of salaries that pilots can earn, let’s take a closer look at the factors that affect these salaries.

How much does a pilot make

Multiple factors impact pilot salaries.

Experience level
Employer
Location
Type of flying
Average annual wage: $77,240
Median annual wage: $59,330
Top 10% earners: $131,660+
Bottom 10% earners: $34,710 or less

Salaries can vary significantly.

Experience level

One of the most important factors that affect pilot salaries is experience level. As pilots gain experience, they typically earn higher pay. This is because experienced pilots are more valuable to airlines and other employers. They have a deeper understanding of how to operate aircraft safely and efficiently, and they are better able to handle unexpected situations.

Entry-level pilots

Entry-level pilots, those with less than 500 flight hours, typically earn the lowest salaries. They may start out as flight instructors or work for smaller airlines.
Regional airline pilots

Regional airline pilots, who fly smaller aircraft on shorter routes, typically earn more than entry-level pilots. They may have 500 to 1,500 flight hours.
Major airline pilots

Major airline pilots, who fly larger aircraft on longer routes, typically earn the highest salaries. They may have more than 1,500 flight hours.
Pilots with specialized experience

Pilots with specialized experience, such as flying cargo or corporate jets, may also earn higher salaries.

In general, pilots with more experience are more likely to be promoted to higher-paying positions and earn higher salaries.

Employer

The type of employer you work for can also affect your salary as a pilot. Generally speaking, pilots who work for major airlines earn higher salaries than those who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers. This is because major airlines typically have more resources and can afford to pay their pilots more.

For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $100,970 in May 2021. However, the median annual wage for commercial pilots was only $88,300. And the median annual wage for pilots flying for air transportation support activities was even lower, at $75,330.

In addition to major airlines, pilots can also work for corporate flight departments, charter companies, and government agencies. The salaries for these jobs can vary depending on the size and budget of the organization.

For example, pilots who fly for corporate flight departments may earn higher salaries than those who fly for charter companies. And pilots who fly for government agencies may earn higher salaries than those who fly for private companies.

Ultimately, the best way to find out how much pilots make at a particular employer is to research the salaries for that specific company or organization.

Location

The location where you work as a pilot can also affect your salary. Generally speaking, pilots who work in large metropolitan areas earn higher salaries than those who work in rural areas. This is because the cost of living is typically higher in large cities, and airlines and other employers need to pay their pilots more to compensate for this.

New York City

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the New York City area was $134,100 in May 2021. This is significantly higher than the national median wage for this occupation.
Los Angeles

The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the Los Angeles area was $127,870 in May 2021. This is also higher than the national median wage for this occupation.
San Francisco

The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the San Francisco area was $126,910 in May 2021. This is another city where pilots earn higher than average salaries.
Rural areas

In contrast, pilots who work in rural areas typically earn lower salaries. For example, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the Mayaguez, Puerto Rico area was only $69,280 in May 2021.

Of course, the cost of living can also vary significantly from one location to another. So, it’s important to factor in the cost of living when comparing pilot salaries in different cities or regions.

Type of flying

The type of flying you do can also affect your salary as a pilot. Generally speaking, pilots who fly larger aircraft or fly on longer routes earn higher salaries than those who fly smaller aircraft or fly on shorter routes. This is because larger aircraft and longer routes require more experience and skill to operate.

For example, pilots who fly cargo planes typically earn higher salaries than those who fly passenger planes. This is because cargo planes are typically larger and heavier than passenger planes, and they require more experience and skill to operate.

Similarly, pilots who fly long-haul flights typically earn higher salaries than those who fly short-haul flights. This is because long-haul flights require pilots to be away from home for longer periods of time, and they also require more experience and skill to operate.

In addition to the size of the aircraft and the length of the route, the type of flying can also affect your salary. For example, pilots who fly for corporate flight departments or charter companies typically earn higher salaries than those who fly for airlines. This is because corporate and charter pilots typically have more experience and skill, and they are also responsible for a wider range of duties.

Ultimately, the best way to find out how much pilots make flying a particular type of aircraft or route is to research the salaries for that specific job.

Average annual wage: $77,240

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $77,240 in May 2021. This means that half of all pilots earned more than this amount and half earned less.

However, it’s important to note that this is just an average salary. Pilot salaries can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including experience level, employer, location, and type of flying. For example, pilots with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience. And pilots who work for major airlines typically earn higher salaries than those who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers.

Additionally, pilots who fly larger aircraft or fly on longer routes typically earn higher salaries than those who fly smaller aircraft or fly on shorter routes. And pilots who fly for corporate flight departments or charter companies typically earn higher salaries than those who fly for airlines.

So, while the average annual wage for pilots is $77,240, it’s possible to earn significantly more or less than this amount depending on your specific circumstances.

If you’re interested in becoming a pilot, it’s important to research the salaries for this occupation in your area and for the type of flying you’re interested in doing. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect to earn as a pilot.

Median annual wage: $59,330

The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $59,330 in May 2021. This means that half of all pilots earned more than this amount and half earned less.

The median annual wage is a more accurate representation of what most pilots actually earn than the average annual wage. This is because the average annual wage can be skewed by a small number of very high earners. For example, the top 10% of earners in this occupation made more than $131,660 in May 2021. This means that even though the average annual wage is $77,240, most pilots earn less than this amount.

The median annual wage for pilots can also vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including experience level, employer, location, and type of flying. For example, pilots with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience. And pilots who work for major airlines typically earn higher salaries than those who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers.

So, while the median annual wage for pilots is $59,330, it’s possible to earn significantly more or less than this amount depending on your specific circumstances.

Top 10% earners: $131,660+

The top 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made more than $131,660 in May 2021. This means that a relatively small number of pilots earn very high salaries.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a pilot earning a high salary. These factors include experience level, employer, location, and type of flying. For example, pilots with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience. And pilots who work for major airlines typically earn higher salaries than those who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers.

Finally, some pilots may earn high salaries due to their specialized skills or experience. For example, pilots who are qualified to fly certain types of aircraft or who have experience flying in difficult conditions may be able to command higher salaries.

So, while the top 10% of earners among pilots make more than $131,660 per year, it’s important to remember that this is a relatively small group of pilots. Most pilots earn less than this amount.

Bottom 10% earners: $34,710 or less

The bottom 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made $34,710 or less in May 2021. This means that a relatively small number of pilots earn very low salaries.

Entry-level pilots

Entry-level pilots, those with less than 500 flight hours, typically earn the lowest salaries. They may start out as flight instructors or work for smaller airlines.
Pilots with limited experience

Pilots with limited experience, even if they have more than 500 flight hours, may also earn low salaries. This is especially true for pilots who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers.
Pilots flying smaller aircraft or shorter routes

Pilots who fly smaller aircraft or shorter routes typically earn lower salaries than those who fly larger aircraft or longer routes. This is because smaller aircraft and shorter routes require less experience and skill to operate.
Pilots working in low-cost markets

Pilots who work in low-cost markets, such as rural areas or developing countries, may also earn lower salaries. This is because the cost of living is typically lower in these areas, and airlines and other employers can afford to pay their pilots less.

It’s important to note that the bottom 10% of earners among pilots is a relatively small group. Most pilots earn more than $34,710 per year.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about how much pilots make:

Question 1: How much do pilots make per year?
Answer 1: The average annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $77,240 in May 2021. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on experience level, employer, location, and type of flying.

Question 2: What is the median annual wage for pilots?
Answer 2: The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $59,330 in May 2021. This means that half of all pilots earned more than this amount and half earned less.

Question 3: How much do the top 10% of earners make as pilots?
Answer 3: The top 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made more than $131,660 in May 2021.

Question 4: How much do the bottom 10% of earners make as pilots?
Answer 4: The bottom 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made $34,710 or less in May 2021.

Question 5: What factors affect pilot salaries?
Answer 5: Some of the factors that affect pilot salaries include experience level, employer, location, and type of flying. For example, pilots with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience. And pilots who work for major airlines typically earn higher salaries than those who work for regional airlines or cargo carriers.

Question 6: How can I increase my salary as a pilot?
Answer 6: There are a number of things you can do to increase your salary as a pilot. Some of these things include gaining experience, working for a major airline, flying larger aircraft or longer routes, and developing specialized skills.

Question 7: What is the job outlook for pilots?
Answer 7: The job outlook for pilots is expected to be good over the next few years. This is due to the increasing demand for air travel.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about how much pilots make. If you have any other questions, please feel free to do some research or consult with a career counselor.

Now that you know more about how much pilots make, you can start thinking about how to achieve your own financial goals.

Tips

Here are a few tips for increasing your salary as a pilot:

Tip 1: Gain experience.

One of the best ways to increase your salary as a pilot is to gain experience. As you gain experience, you will become more valuable to airlines and other employers. You will also be able to command higher pay.

Tip 2: Work for a major airline.

Major airlines typically pay their pilots higher salaries than regional airlines or cargo carriers. This is because major airlines have more resources and can afford to pay their pilots more.

Tip 3: Fly larger aircraft or longer routes.

Pilots who fly larger aircraft or longer routes typically earn higher salaries than those who fly smaller aircraft or shorter routes. This is because larger aircraft and longer routes require more experience and skill to operate.

Tip 4: Develop specialized skills.

Pilots who have specialized skills, such as flying certain types of aircraft or flying in difficult conditions, may be able to command higher salaries. For example, pilots who are qualified to fly corporate jets or who have experience flying in bad weather may be able to earn more money.

Closing Paragraph for Tips:

By following these tips, you can increase your earning potential as a pilot. Remember, the more experience you have and the more specialized your skills are, the more money you can make.

Now that you know how to increase your salary as a pilot, you can start taking steps to achieve your financial goals.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the various factors that affect pilot salaries. We have also provided some tips for increasing your earning potential as a pilot.

The main points to remember are:

Pilot salaries can vary significantly depending on experience level, employer, location, and type of flying.
The average annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $77,240 in May 2021.
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $59,330 in May 2021.
The top 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made more than $131,660 in May 2021.
The bottom 10% of earners among airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers made $34,710 or less in May 2021.
There are a number of things you can do to increase your salary as a pilot, such as gaining experience, working for a major airline, flying larger aircraft or longer routes, and developing specialized skills.

Closing Message:

If you are interested in a career as a pilot, it is important to do your research and understand the salary potential for this occupation. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your earning potential and achieve your financial goals.