Alexandra Skores | (TNS) The Dallas Morning News
A captain who flies the largest aircraft for a commercial airline can earn around $348,252 per year, based on recent pilot contracts in the past year. This is the highest earning potential for commercial airline pilots, a profession that offers high salaries and benefits after years of experience. However, becoming a pilot requires investing in training and flight hours, often leading to significant debt.
ATP Flight School estimates that it costs $108,995 to become a pilot starting with no prior experience, or $86,995 when starting with a private pilot certificate. So, which commercial airlines offer the highest salaries for pilots? Here are a few examples. American Airlines
At American, first-year pilots are paid a flat rate. In 2024, a first-year first officer at American would make $116 per hour under the new contract. Depending on the amount of flying, this could result in an average starting salary of $114,180 annually.
On average, a major airline's first officer in their first year flying the smallest aircraft may earn $98,616, according to Darby.
Pay scales are determined by factors like years of service, aircraft type, and pilot rank.
“It’s a good job,” Tajer said. “Each year you’ll get a pay raise based on your length of service, up to 12 years. If you remain a first officer, you'll receive an annual longevity increase up to 12 years, and then reach the maximum pay per flight hour.”
Southwest Airlines
At Southwest, they use a trip-based payment system, which differs from other airlines. First officers or captains at other major airlines, like American, can earn more when they upgrade to larger aircraft.
A first-year first officer at Southwest would make roughly $133.76 per hour according to the union’s calculations, resulting in an average of about $11,370 per month.
Top-of-scale captains at Southwest make $364.52 per hour. Southwest contends it's closer to $368.01, which would average about $371,808 per year.
Pilots are not paid during boarding or getting to their flight, and they only receive payment for actual flight time, even though they may work 10 to 12 hours per day.
“Ultimately, everyone is vying for the best and most experienced pilots, and experience directly correlates with safety,” said Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association. “That’s what customers are paying for when they buy tickets.”
Delta Air Lines
At Delta Air Lines, a first officer flying the smallest aircraft can earn an average of $109,212 annually, according to Darby.
Pilots at Delta are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association
The agreement resulted in their salaries going up by more than 30% over four years. The group of around 15,000 pilots approved the contract in March.
When piloting their biggest plane, a captain's yearly average income can be $420,876.
United Airlines According to Darby's estimate, United’s pilots who are first officers in their initial year on the smallest aircraft can earn a similar salary — $114,696.In July, United Airlines pilots
reached an agreement
for a new four-year contract,
resulting in a total compensation increase of up to 40.2% over the duration of the agreement
On the other end, the most senior captains flying United’s largest aircraft can earn a salary of $424,920. Other commercial airlines At JetBlue Airways, a first-year pilot can earn $99,000. A captain at JetBlue operating its largest planes will on average earn $303,840. At Allegiant Air, a first-year pilot may earn around $55,356. A senior captain operating its largest airplanes earns $222,696 on average..
Spirit Airlines’ first officers starting out on the smallest aircraft can earn $92,868 yearly. For captains operating the largest aircraft at Spirit, the average is $297,876 annually.
Alaska Airlines pilots operating the smallest aircraft in their first year make $107,844. As a senior captain, they can earn $326,640 on average flying the largest airplanes at Alaska.
©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On average, a captain operating a commercial airline’s largest aircraft can earn $348,252 per year, based on recent pilot contracts finalized over the past year.
Spirit Airlines’ first officers starting out on the smallest aircraft make $92,868 a year. For captains flying the largest aircraft, that’s an average of $297,876 a year on average at Spirit.
Alaska Airlines pilots flying the smallest aircraft in their first year make $107,844 in the first year. As a senior captain, they can bring home $326,640 on average flying the largest airplanes at Alaska.
©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
