First Officer salaries — starting out
Starting salaries for airline first officers vary enormously depending on the airline type, country, and aircraft type. In Europe, a new first officer at a low-cost carrier typically earns €35,000–€50,000 per year in the first years. At a legacy carrier, starting pay is typically €45,000–€65,000.
In the United States, regional airline first officers can start at $60,000–$90,000 (after recent pay rises industry-wide), while mainline carriers (United, Delta, American) pay new first officers $110,000–$160,000.
Captain salaries
Captain upgrade typically happens after 3–7 years of flying as a first officer, depending on the airline's seniority list and growth. European captain salaries range from €75,000 at low-cost carriers to €130,000–€200,000 at long-haul legacy carriers.
In the US, senior captains at mainline carriers (Delta, United, American) can earn $300,000–$400,000+ per year at the top of the pay scale, reflecting long-haul international flying on wide-body aircraft.
Regional vs mainline airlines
Regional airlines (operating turboprops and small jets such as the ATR 72, CRJ, and E190) typically pay less than mainline carriers but provide an important stepping stone for building hours and type ratings. Many pilots spend 2–5 years at a regional carrier before moving to a mainline operator.
In Europe, the regional vs mainline distinction is less clear, with airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air paying competitively against legacy carriers for many pilots.
Pay by country and authority
Middle Eastern carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad) are known for strong total compensation packages that are typically tax-free, with housing and schooling allowances. Many European captains move to the Gulf for 5–10 years mid-career.
Australian pilots at Qantas and Virgin Australia are among the highest-paid globally relative to cost of living. Asian carriers vary widely — Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines pay well, while low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia pay closer to European levels.
Frequently asked questions
Do pilots get paid per hour or a salary?
Most airline pilots receive a base salary plus sector pay or block hour pay (payment per hour of flight time). Total take-home depends on the number of hours flown, which varies with roster patterns. Many contracts also include allowances for layovers, night flying, and sectors.
How does pilot pay progress over a career?
Most airline pilot contracts are seniority-based. Pay increases each year as you move up the seniority list, with step increases for years of service and aircraft upgrades. A pilot who joins an airline at 25 and retires at 65 can expect to see pay roughly triple over their career at a major carrier.
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