Feb 6, 2022

Flight enthusiasts have many reasons to consider working as an airline pilot. And who doesn’t want to experience the thrill of traveling to far-flung destinations throughout the world? As a result of the increasing worldwide need for commercial airline pilots, the pay of airline pilots is a great motivation to choose an aviation career. 

But you’re worried about the pay of pilots since you’ve been contemplating becoming one. When it comes to money, the financial benefits of being a pilot outweigh the minimal expenditure in flight training.

What Does a Pilot Make When They First Start?

A licensed flight instructor is the most common paid position for pilots in the United States. They first get a private pilot’s license, an instrument rating, a commercial pilot’s license, and instructor training before educating others in flying skills. This is primarily due to the FAA’s “1,500-hour regulation,” which was implemented in 2013. 

To be eligible for an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) license, all First Officers operating for commercial airlines must have accumulated a minimum of 1,500 flight hours before applying for the license. Pilots take on the role of teachers to accumulate the necessary hours. The advantages of this arrangement are the ability to “accumulate time” in their logbooks, develop their abilities, train new pilots, and get compensated.

How Much Do Pilots Make?

Pilot salaries are not uniform across the board, as is the case with other occupations. Pilot wages fluctuate from year to year depending on the airline, the kind of aircraft, and even the flying routes.

For example, the compensation of a pilot is determined by a variety of criteria, including pilot certifications, experience, job title, and pilot labor agreements. Aside from that, most people are unaware that pilots are paid by the hour rather than every year.

Airline Pilot Central is a website that shows the average pilot salaries. For instance, a Cape Air pilot earns an average salary of $79,782 in the first year. The hour rate for SkyWest pilots is $46. But pilot salaries have continued to increase over the years. The highest-paid captain at these legacy airlines is the 12-year captain on wide-body aircraft such as the B777 or B787. An example is the Delta airline which offers $354 per hour.

How is a Pilot’s Salary Calculated?

First and foremost, consider that an airline pilot is compensated per hour for the actual hours flown. According to federal regulations, airline pilots are only permitted to fly a total of 1,000 hours every year. Keeping them well-rested and prepared to fly each time they enter the cockpit is essential.

Consider the difference between this and regular employment, where employees are expected to work 40 hours each week. Even after taking two weeks off for vacation, the average worker works 2,000 hours per year, which is double the amount of time spent by a commercial pilot on the job.

The hourly wage rises with each year that they have spent working for an airline. The hourly fee range varies depending on the airline and the kind of aircraft used. For example, a seasoned Captain flying an A350 for Delta may expect to make $354 per hour on an average basis.

First Officers in Delta’s junior ranks are paid $92 per hour. A senior Captain earns $354 on a B777 for United Airlines, and a junior First Officer earns $91 on the same flight. All aspects are considered, even whether you fly on a Boeing 747 or a Bombardier CRJ200.

It also matters how long you’ve been in the business, whether you’ve been flying professionally for one year or 10. It is also essential to consider the airline you have decided to fly with. All of this is taken into consideration when determining your salary.

What Variety of Incentives do Pilots Receive?

Airlines are known for providing outstanding perks to their employees. Health, life, dental, and vision insurance, and a retirement plan are all included. In addition, you are entitled to accrued vacation time, sick days, holidays, and other paid personal time off. The majority of airlines give a per diem to cover expenditures like meals and lodging.

One of the most significant advantages is the flexibility of the pilot’s schedule. Given that a pilot is only allowed to fly 1,000 hours per year, you may expect to take as much as two weeks off every month, giving you more free time than people in most other jobs. The majority of airlines provide free flights in exchange for jump seats. This incentive is often extended to family members, depending on the airline’s seniority and other considerations.

Pilots can sometimes find themselves spending the night in some spectacular locales… The outcome is that they take pleasure in spontaneous sightseeing and memory-making. Employees in every sector of employment are prone to losing sight of the importance of perks. These advantages come at a high financial cost to businesses. 

Remember to factor in your complete benefits package when calculating your accurate salary to fully appreciate your compensation package’s worth. While working in today’s gig economy, when firms commonly contract workers as independent contractors who do not get benefits, pilots are lucky that their employers provide a wide range of perks.

Is it Possible to Make a Living Doing What I Enjoy?

Yes. When it comes to employment growth and job stability, pilots have an advantage over the norm. In addition to the monetary compensation and benefits, many people choose to become pilots for other reasons. 

The desire to fly is something that many pilots profess to have. Possibly, they had ancestors who were pilots or had heard inspiring stories about military operations. Perhaps the urge to fly is inborn in all individuals, albeit it may be more robust in some than in others? Many people pick this professional route for financial reasons, which we understand. However, many others are motivated solely by financial considerations.

When it comes to pilot wages, we give information to assist you in better grasping the intricate manner in which airlines calculate pilot pay and the elements that influence salary increases. After all, you have to make a living, and isn’t it fantastic to earn a livelihood doing what you genuinely enjoy?