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How a Pilot's Salary is Calculated
Regional Airline Pilot Pay
Major AIrline Pilot Pay
Airline pilots aren't paid a traditional "salary." Instead they are paid per flight hour.
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This is the biggest factor that determines a pilot's pay. The more years at an airline, the higher the pay.
Airlines also pay different hourly rates based on the aircraft you're flying. Larger aircraft generally means higher pay.
Most new airline pilots start at the regional airlines. Many pilots stay at regional airlines for 3-5 years.
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New pilots start as first officers. Below are some estimates of pilot pay at regional airlines.
Air Wisconsin
Endeavor AIr
Envoy Air
Mesa Airlines
PSA Airlines
$37,000
$51,000
$83,000
$36,000
$50,000
*These numbers are only estimates. Some airlines also offer signing bonuses so year one will be high followed by a lower year two.
Republic Airways
$46,000
Skywest Airlines
$45,000
First Officers will often become captains after 3-5 years.
Air Wisconsin
Endeavor AIr
Envoy Air
Mesa Airlines
PSA Airlines
$71,000
$86,000
$83,000
$62,000
$82,000
*These numbers are only estimates.
Republic Airways
$90,000
Skywest Airlines
$75,000
After a few years at a regional carrier most airline pilots will move to one of the major airlines.
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A new major airline pilot starts off as a first officer.
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airlines
Southwest Airlines
$90,000
$92,000
$58,000
$89,000
$84,000
*These numbers are only estimates. Some airlines also offer signing bonuses so year one will be high followed by a lower year two.
Spirit Airlines
$58,000
United Airlines
$91,000
After a several years as a first officer at a major airline you'll become a captain.
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airlines
Southwest Airlines
$255,000
$251,000
$184,000
$234,000
$241,000
*These numbers are only estimates.
Spirit Airlines
$186,000
United Airlines
$260,000