Research Summary. Our team at Zippia has analyzed public government data and insights from recent job postings to identify the top-paying positions at Southwest Airlines for 2026. This updated content provides an overview of high-earning roles, their average salaries, and the evolving landscape of employment within the airline industry.
Here’s a quick glance at the highest-paying jobs at Southwest Airlines:
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Senior Software Engineer ranks as the highest-paying job at Southwest Airlines, with an average salary of $120,951 and an hourly rate of $58.15.
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The second highest-paying position is Lead Technician, earning an average salary of $119,472.
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Overall, the average annual salary at Southwest Airlines is $41,081, translating to an average hourly pay of $19.75.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
For many, choosing a company to work for is just as important as deciding the specific job role. If you aspire to join Southwest Airlines, it’s beneficial to understand which positions offer the best compensation. This knowledge can help you decide whether to apply and prepare accordingly.
So, how much do employees at Southwest Airlines earn? Salaries can vary based on role, experience, and location. However, certain positions consistently offer higher pay. Below are some of the top salaries available at Southwest Airlines:
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the highest-paying jobs at Southwest Airlines, along with a deeper dive into our methodology for gathering this information.
Highest Paying Jobs At Southwest Airlines
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senior Software Engineer | |
| 2 | Lead Technician | |
| 3 | Senior Java Developer | |
| 4 | DevOps Engineer | |
| 5 | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| 6 | Java/J2EE Developer | |
| 7 | Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| 8 | Business Analyst | |
| 9 | Business Consultant | |
| 10 | Team Leader | |
| 11 | Finance Associate | |
| 12 | Operations Manager | |
| 13 | Recruiter | |
| 14 | Office Manager | |
| 15 | Crew Scheduler | |
| 16 | Payroll Specialist | |
| 17 | Ground Operations Supervisor | |
| 18 | Human Resources Coordinator | |
| 19 | Administrative Coordinator | |
| 20 | Operation Supervisor |
Methodology
For our salary estimates, Zippia utilizes publicly available information from trusted sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Our data science team also reviews current job postings and company resources to ensure the accuracy of the salary information provided.
After collecting the data, we calculate a weighted average salary for each job title. For more details on our methodology, please see our detailed methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At Southwest Airlines FAQs
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What is the highest-paid job at Southwest Airlines?
The highest-paid job at Southwest Airlines is a Senior Software Engineer. These professionals earn an average salary of $120,951, which is approximately $58.15 per hour.
The top 10 highest-paid jobs at Southwest Airlines include:
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Java/J2EE Developer – $105,743
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What is a good salary at Southwest Airlines?
A good salary at Southwest Airlines is any amount above $41,081 per year. Since this figure represents the average salary at Southwest Airlines, earning more than this is generally considered favorable.
However, depending on the specific role, $41,081 may still be insufficient. It’s crucial to research the average salary for your position, skill set, and experience level. If you find you are earning less than the standard, consider negotiating for a raise or exploring routes to advance to a higher pay tier.
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Do jobs at Southwest Airlines pay well?
Jobs at Southwest Airlines have variable pay scales. The average starting salary is around $19,000 per year, or $9.13 per hour, while the overall average salary is $41,081 per year ($19.75 per hour), which is approximately 0.9 times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In comparison, PSA Airlines, a direct competitor, offers an average salary of $46,385 per year, or $22.30 per hour. This equates to approximately $5,304 more than Southwest Airlines’ average salary and $2.55 more per hour.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
