Airline Pilot Central American Airlines (2024)

FAQs

Which airline pays pilots the most? ›

Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and others are topping the list of the best-paying carriers in the country. Most regional airlines are paying lower salaries.

As a first officer for American Airlines your pay starts at $113 per hour and quickly grows to $174 per hour in year two if you are flying on the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. The following numbers are an estimate of what you can expect to earn as an American Airlines first officer salary. Updated as of March 2024.

The airline hired 1,140 pilots in 2022. A spike in hiring happened in 2022, when airlines began ramping up service at the end of the pandemic. There had been an acute pilot shortfall caused in part by the 5,000 early retirement packages that airlines provided in 2020.

Some pilots do make $300,000 or more depending on whom they fly for and what experience they have.

Pilots are only allowed to fly 1,000 hours in a calendar year. Therefore, most airlines offer a monthly guaranteed minimum hours, usually around 75 to 80. Some offer minimum pay on a daily basis, typically around 4.1 hours. This guaranteed minimum ensures you'll have a paycheck even when a flight is grounded.

How Many Hours Are Pilots Typically Allowed to Work. Commercial pilots are typically limited to working a certain number of hours in order to ensure that they are well-rested and alert while flying. The typical work week for a commercial airline pilot is 50-60 hours.

Many pilots praise Delta Air Lines for its high salaries and excellent benefits. At Southwest Airlines, pilots often mention the positive work environment and the company's dedication to employee satisfaction. At Singapore Airlines, pilots highlight the rigorous training and opportunities for career advancement.

What is the highest salary for a fighter pilot? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $201,000 and as low as $49,500, the majority of Military Fighter Pilot salaries currently range between $100,000 (25th percentile) to $155,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $175,000 annually across the United States.

United Airlines captain pay starts at $329 per hour. Pay for senior captains at United can reach considerable levels with pay on the 777 at year 12 reaching $438 per hour. The following are estimates for a United Airlines captain salary.

Delta Air Lines Hiring Projections

Delta Air Lines will hire 1,100 pilots in 2024 to support growth and retirements, and anticipates this pace to continue through the remainder of the decade. Additionally, Delta's profit sharing in 2023 was more than all competitors combined.

For many, working as a pilot is an exciting career choice. You may enjoy working as a pilot if you enjoy flying and traveling, but there are also some elements of this profession that may not be suitable for everyone.

The longer-term pilot supply outlook is uncertain. In October, consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimated a pilot shortfall across North America would persist for the next decade, with a 2032 shortfall of 13,000 pilots being similar to the shortage that exists today.

Many pilots praise Delta Air Lines for its high salaries and excellent benefits. At Southwest Airlines, pilots often mention the positive work environment and the company's dedication to employee satisfaction. At Singapore Airlines, pilots highlight the rigorous training and opportunities for career advancement.

The estimated total pay range for a Pilot at Delta Air Lines is $132K–$241K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Pilot base salary at Delta Air Lines is $158K per year. The average additional pay is $18K per year, which could include cash bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing or tips.

Pilots with around 20 years of experience can earn the highest salaries. For instance, some senior, long-haul captains at American Airlines are forecasted to make a base salary of around $600,000 a year. Established airline pilots are paid very well, with the annual earnings of senior captains around $400,000.

In your first role at a major airline, you could expect a pilot salary of around $55,000 - $90,000, depending on which airline you work for. This rises to $95,000 - $155,000 on average after 6 years of service.