Do airline pilots make good money?

As a result, commercial pilots are paid well. According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year, which was the the median annual wage in May 2021. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180.


Is being an airline pilot worth it?

Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

Can you make 500k as a pilot?

However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000. American Airlines pilots earn an average salary of $118,000, with some pilots earning in excess of $700,000.


How much do airline pilots make starting out?

A regional airline pilots in the U.S. typically starts out making an hourly rate of $20 – $50 per hour, or about $20,000-$40,000 per year, depending on the airline, type of aircraft, and the pilot's experience level.

Is an airline pilot a high paying job?

Pay. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $202,180 in May 2021. The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $99,640 in May 2021.


What's the Annual Salary of an Airline Pilot



Is pilot a stressful career?

40 percent of pilots feel “most stressed” by their dealings with management, with rotations – the number of airport turnarounds they must carry out in a day – the second biggest contributor to stress. 59 percent feel their employer does not care about their wellbeing.

Do pilots have a lot of free time?

FAQ. Do pilots have free time? Yes, pilots have free time. Junior pilots have a minimum of 12 days off per month, whereas the average pilot gets 15 days off per month and a senior pilot can enjoy up to 20 days off per month.

Do pilots become millionaires?

Pilots have high salaries that can reach up to $7 million. Find out how! Due to the constant high demand for pilots and their rising salaries, the aviation industry is a great option for your future career.


How hard is it to become a pilot?

It is pretty hard to become an airline pilot. The most difficult aspect of becoming an airline pilot isn't so much learning to fly a plane, but more the written and practical tests you must take and pass along the way. It takes around 4 to 5 years to become an airline pilot.

Do pilots get paid when not flying?

Airline pilots don't necessarily get paid a “salary”. Instead, pilots are paid per flight hour. Meaning a pilot is only paid while their airplane is running. As of May 2021, the median annual earnings for airline pilots was $202,180.

What type of pilot gets the most money?

High Paying Pilot Jobs
  • Helicopter Pilot. Salary range: $51,500-$115,000 per year. ...
  • Private Pilot. Salary range: $51,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Corporate Pilot. Salary range: $55,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Chief Pilot. Salary range: $64,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Assistant Chief Pilot. ...
  • Air Charter Pilot. ...
  • Airline Pilot. ...
  • Commercial Pilot.


What is the lowest pilot salary?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $92,000 and as low as $20,500, the majority of Entry Level Pilot salaries currently range between $34,500 (25th percentile) to $50,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $69,000 annually across the United States.

Why are pilot salaries so high?

The crazy demand for pilots creates a very cut-throat market for pilots. That is why airlines offer pilots attractive salary packages, just so that a pilot does not join their competitors.

What are the cons of being a pilot?

Pilot Career Cons
  • You need a deep bank account. While you will earn a lot of money as an airline pilot later down the years, the first few years might cost you up to $100 000. ...
  • A steep learning curve. ...
  • Missing out on holidays. ...
  • A lot of stress. ...
  • Losing your career in an instant because of medical reasons.


Is a pilot a realistic career?

It is varied, fun, and exciting. The average pay for a pilot (according to glassdoor.com) is $106,627 per year. It is an environment where you'll never stop learning, and there are plenty of opportunities to diversify within the industry. However, some things need to be considered before starting this career path.

How many hours do pilots work?

The average airline pilot works 75 hours each month, however, they can work up to 100 hours in 30 days. The average airline pilot will fly 700 hours per year and is not allowed to fly more than 1,000 hours in 12 months.

Is being a pilot a lot of math?

All you really need is a thorough understanding of the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as well as a little mental math practice. After a while, it all becomes second nature to you and you won't even realize you're doing geometry and trigonometry, you'll just be flying a plane.


What is the hardest part of becoming a pilot?

1) Weather And Maintenance Delays

Just like being a professional pilot, weather and maintenance delays will affect your training. You will have plenty of flight lessons cancelled outside of your control, and that's a reality you'll need to get used to as a student pilot.

Does it take 10 years to become a pilot?

Ideally, becoming a pilot should only take 3 to 4 years, the time it takes to get your Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight. Getting an education is also good for a consistency of training, so it's preferred to wait to start your journey until you are in a certified school, like LETU.

Are pilots in high demand?

Even more critically, global demand is projected to outstrip the supply of commercial pilots over the next 10 years, leaving the industry short by nearly 80,000 pilots by 2032.


Can I be a pilot if Im not rich?

“You certainly don't have to be rich, but you have to have a plan," he says. "Like with most larger expenses, you need to be smart and know what your goals and objectives are."

Do pilots have good work life balance?

Being a successful airline pilot is not like a 9-to-5 job. Pilots can't expect to put in their hours, come home, and expect a warm, home-cooked meal every day. Even the hours of pilot schedules can vary. Some days, pilots will work for five hours.

Do pilots have a high divorce rate?

Just as with flight attendants, the pilot divorce rate is high at 30.5%. Divorce is so common among pilots that there's a term for it in the industry: Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome.


What perks do pilots get?

When you work as a commercial airline pilot, you can look forward to having one of the best jobs in the world while enjoying the following benefits.
  • Travel the World. ...
  • Unbeatable Views. ...
  • Travel Discounts for Family and Friends. ...
  • Job Satisfaction. ...
  • Work Stays at Work. ...
  • Flex Schedule. ...
  • Challenging. ...
  • Meet New People.


Do pilots have good retirement?

Retirement values for a 35-year airline pilot career range from $1.8 million to over $3 million at the US major airlines. Retirement benefits are estimated at either 7.5 percent of the defined benefit program, if one is provided, or three percent of the final annual salary.