Alexandra Skores | (TNS) The Dallas Morning News
A captain flying the largest plane for a commercial airline can earn about $348,252 per year, according to recent pilot contracts from the past year.
This is the top tier for commercial airline pilots, who can expect years of high earnings and benefits. However, becoming a pilot requires investing in training and flying hours, which often leads to significant debt. ATP Flight School approximates the cost of becoming a pilot with no previous experience to be $108,995, or $86,995 when starting with a private pilot certificate.
So, which commercial airlines offer the best pay for pilots? Here are a few examples.
American Airlines
At American, new pilots are paid a fixed rate, Tajer stated. A first-year, first officer at American would receive $116 per hour in 2024 under the new contract. Depending on the frequency of flights, a new commercial airline pilot could expect an average starting salary of $114,180, as stated by Darby.
On average, a new first officer at a major airline flying the smallest aircraft may earn $98,616 in their first year, according to Darby.
Pay scales consider various factors, such as years of service, the type of aircraft, and the pilot's rank.
“It's a good profession,” Tajer commented. “You'll receive a salary increase each year based on your length of service, up to 12 years. As a first officer, you'll receive an annual raise for your seniority, up to 12 years, after which your hourly pay will reach its maximum.
Southwest Airlines
At Southwest, pilots are paid based on each trip, using a specific formula to calculate their earnings.
Southwest exclusively operates Boeing 737 planes, which affects their pay structure. First officers or captains at other major airlines, like American, may receive pay increases if they transition to larger aircraft.
Under the union's calculations, a new first officer at Southwest would earn approximately $133.76 per hour, equating to an average monthly salary of about $11,370, according to Darby's estimates.
Top-of-scale captains at Southwest earn $364.52 per hour, although Southwest believes this figure is closer to $368.01. This would result in an average annual salary of about $371,808, as estimated by Darby.
Pilots are not compensated during boarding or when traveling to their flight. Despite working 10 to 12 hours each day, they are only paid for the time spent flying.
“Ultimately, everyone is vying for the most skilled and experienced pilots, as this translates to safety,” noted Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association. “When customers purchase tickets, this is what they're investing in.”
Delta Air Lines
At Delta Air Lines, a first officer flying their smallest plane can earn an average of $109,212 annually, as per Darby's information.
Pilots at Delta are represented by the Air Line Pilots AssociationThe agreement resulted in an increase of over 30% in their salaries over four years for the union of around 15,000 pilots who voted in March.
When flying the biggest planes, a captain's yearly average salary can reach $420,876.
United Airlines
According to Darby's estimate, United’s pilots who are first officers and flying the smallest aircraft can make a similar salary of $114,696 in their first year.
In July, United Airlines pilots reached an agreement for a new four-year contract, resulting in a potential total compensation increase of up to 40.2% over the life of the agreement.
On the other hand, senior-most 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. Meanwhile, a captain at JetBlue flying its largest planes will make an average of $303,840.
At Allegiant Air, a first-year pilot may earn around $55,356, while a senior captain flying its largest airplanes makes $222,696 on average.
Starting out on the smallest aircraft, Spirit Airlines’ first officers make $92,868 per year. For captains flying the largest aircraft, the average is $297,876 a year at Spirit.
Alaska Airlines pilots flying the smallest aircraft make $107,844 in their first year. As a senior captain, they can earn $326,640 on average flying the largest airplanes at Alaska.
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