How Much Do Airline Pilots Make in a Year?
I still get a kick out of it every time I enter the cockpit on a commercial flight. The sheer number of buttons, dials, and screens can be a bit overwhelming, and I can’t help but wonder how the pilots manage to keep track of everything. Of course, I know that they go through extensive training, but I can’t help but be impressed by their skill and knowledge.
One of the things that I’m always curious about is how much airline pilots make. After all, they have a lot of responsibility and they work long hours. Surely they must be well-compensated for their efforts. So, I decided to do a little research to find out how much airline pilots actually make.
Factors Affecting Airline Pilot Salaries
There are a number of factors that can affect an airline pilot’s salary, including:
- Experience: The more experience a pilot has, the more they will typically earn.
- Rank: Captains earn more than first officers and second officers.
- Airline: Some airlines pay their pilots more than others.
- Unionization: Pilots who are members of a union typically earn more than those who are not.
Average Airline Pilot Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for airline pilots was $130,440 in May 2021. However, it’s important to remember that this is just an average. The actual salary that a pilot earns can vary significantly depending on the factors listed above.
For example, the median annual salary for a captain was $194,770 in May 2021, while the median annual salary for a first officer was $87,180. Additionally, pilots who fly for major airlines typically earn more than those who fly for regional airlines. For example, the median annual salary for a captain at Delta Air Lines was $243,870 in 2021, while the median annual salary for a captain at Mesa Airlines was $118,400.
Job Outlook for Airline Pilots
The job outlook for airline pilots is expected to be good over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of airline pilot jobs will grow by 13% from 2021 to 2031. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for air travel.
Tips for Increasing Your Airline Pilot Salary
If you’re interested in becoming an airline pilot, there are a few things you can do to increase your salary potential:
- Get as much experience as possible. The more experience you have, the more valuable you will be to potential employers.
- Get promoted to captain. Captains earn significantly more than first officers and second officers.
- Join a union. Pilots who are members of a union typically earn more than those who are not.
- Fly for a major airline. Pilots who fly for major airlines typically earn more than those who fly for regional airlines.
- Get a good education. A college degree in aviation or a related field can help you increase your salary potential.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in a career as an airline pilot, there’s no doubt that you can make a good living. The median annual salary for airline pilots is over $130,000, and the job outlook is expected to be good over the next few years. However, it’s important to remember that the actual salary that you earn will depend on a number of factors, including your experience, rank, airline, and unionization status.
If you’re willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to your career, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve your goal of becoming a successful airline pilot.
Are you interested in learning more about the salary of airline pilots?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much do airline pilots make?
A: The median annual salary for airline pilots was $130,440 in May 2021. However, the actual salary that a pilot earns can vary significantly depending on their experience, rank, airline, and unionization status.
Q: What is the job outlook for airline pilots?
A: The job outlook for airline pilots is expected to be good over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of airline pilot jobs will grow by 13% from 2021 to 2031.
Q: How can I increase my airline pilot salary?
A: There are a few things you can do to increase your salary potential, including getting as much experience as possible, getting promoted to captain, joining a union, flying for a major airline, and getting a good education.
