How much do pilots make?

Asked by: Nikolas Olson  |  Last update: November 26, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $113,080 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200. Airline pilots usually begin their careers as first officers and receive wage increases as they accumulate experience and seniority.

Do pilots make good money?

How Much Does a Pilot Make? Pilots made a median salary of $219,140 in 2023. The best-paid 25% made $239,200 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $142,770.

What is the highest paid pilot?

High Paying Pilot Jobs
  • Chief Pilot. Salary range: $122,000-$207,000 per year. ...
  • Assistant Chief Pilot. Salary range: $72,500-$179,000 per year. ...
  • Air Charter Pilot. Salary range: $55,000-$175,000 per year. ...
  • Private Pilot. Salary range: $100,000-$155,000 per year. ...
  • Corporate Pilot. ...
  • Helicopter Pilot. ...
  • Airline Pilot. ...
  • Commercial Pilot.

Do some pilots make 500k a year?

Salaries Vary by Airline

The average Delta Air Lines pilot earns $201,178 with top-earners making $526,000. American Airlines pilots earn an average salary of $145,995, with some pilots earning in excess of $700,000. Most importantly, pilot salaries continue to increase.

Can a pilot be a millionaire?

Airline Pilots Can Earn $7 Million Over Their Career

By extension, this means that by the time you're in your 30's, you'll have already made about $3-$4 million. There's no doubt that the average pilot can earn a very comfortable living travelling the world and flying aircrafts.

How much $$$ Does a PILOT Make in 2024?

15 related questions found

How much does a 747 captain make a year?

The estimated total pay for a B747 Captain is $188,508 per year, with an average salary of $114,690 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

Is it hard to become a pilot?

One of the most significant challenges in becoming a pilot is the time commitment required. Training involves hundreds of hours of study, flight time, and exams. Balancing this with other responsibilities can be tough, but time management and dedication are key to success.

How much do Delta pilots get paid?

Average Delta Air Lines Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $210,121, which is 131% above the national average.

Who is the richest pilot in the world?

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. Houston, Texas, U.S. Houston, Texas, U.S.

How much do UPS 747 pilots make?

How much does a Pilot make at UPS in the United States? Average UPS Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $257,502, which is 183% above the national average.

How many hours a week do pilots work?

Here are examples of the regulations: ICAO: Recommends that a pilot's working hours should not exceed 14 hours in one day, with a minimum rest period of 10 hours. EASA: Pilots cannot work more than 60 hours in a week, 190 hours in 28 days, and 1000 hours in a year.

Do pilots need 20/20 vision?

What are the FAA standards for vision? Federal Aviation Regulations require that a pilot's distant vision be 20/20 or better, with or without correction, in EACH eye separately to hold a first or second class medical certificate. The standard for near visual acuity (16″) is 20/40 in each eye separately.

Who gets paid more, pilot or doctor?

Commercial pilot pay is on par with doctors, lawyers, engineers, according to a Southern California flight school.

Do pilots get free flights?

FAQ » Careers, General FAQs » Do pilots fly for free? The short answer is yes – the majority of airlines offer free flights as an employee benefit for pilots. They also typically offer free flights for pilots' immediate family members.

Is 30 too late to become a pilot?

The big question is: are you too old for flight school? The answer is no. While some airlines have an age requirement before you can fly a commercial flight, there's no age limit in wanting to become a pilot. Many think that at age 40, they have missed their opportunity to become a pilot.

How expensive is it to become a pilot?

It costs $116,995 to become a pilot when starting with no previous experience or $86,995 when starting with a private pilot certificate. Both prices include the flight training and certification necessary to become a commercial pilot with flight instructor certificates.

Can you wear glasses as a pilot?

The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

How long is flight school?

For those seeking a bachelor's degree, it will take around 3 years. Flying, gaining a pilot's license, and a degree is challenging but also really rewarding. Why not see what California Aeronautical University can offer to you.

What airline pays the most?

Top paying companies
  • Atlas Air Worldwide. $285K - $450K. /yr. Airline Pilot United States.
  • DHL Supply Chain. $242K - $412K. /yr. ...
  • NetJets. 3.5. $235K - $419K. ...
  • DHL. 3.9. $243K - $401K. ...
  • EL AL. 3.5. $234K - $413K. ...
  • Lufthansa Group. 3.9. $222K - $402K. ...
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle. $221K - $398K. /yr. ...
  • Southwest Airlines. $223K - $377K. /yr.

How much do FedEx 747 pilots make?

Average FedEx Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $212,632, which is 133% above the national average. Salary information comes from 42 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

Are pilots in demand?

Pilot Shortage in 2024

The airline pilot shortage is a long-term demand that impacts the industry on a global scale for years to come. With the consistent growth in demand for air travel, airlines will need to increase staff, maintain or expand their flight routes, and operate their growing fleets.

How do pilots get 1500 hours?

Shortcut to 1,500 flight hours

The fast track to this largely hinges on the financial resources and time the low-hour pilots have at their disposal. Renting or owning an aircraft can be an ideal choice for some, as it offers pilots the freedom to accumulate flight hours on their own terms.

Do you need a college degree to be a pilot?

The answer is no. Getting an aviation degree or going to an aviation college is not a requirement to become an airline pilot. In fact, major airlines accept any and all bachelor fields and aren't the least bit concerned with what you studied in college.