Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Airline pilot/first officer salary
Average airline pilot/first officer salary
$94,830
Understanding Airline Pilot/First Officer Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Airline Pilot/First Officer in the United States is $94,830 per year. This figure is influenced by various factors, including location, experience, and the specific employer. For instance, pilots in metropolitan areas often earn more than those in rural regions due to the higher cost of living and demand for air travel.
Salary Breakdown by State
Average salaries can differ significantly across states. For example, states with major airline hubs such as California and Texas typically offer higher salaries compared to others. Additionally, examining cities known for having the highest demand for pilots can provide insights into potential earnings.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. First Officers who gain additional certifications or transition into Captain roles can expect to see substantial increases in their earnings. Understanding these factors can help aspiring pilots make informed career decisions.
Let Zippia find your next airline pilot/first officer job
Let Zippia find your next airline pilot/first officer job
Where can an Airline Pilot/First Officer earn more?
Average airline pilot/first officer salary by state
The highest-paying states for airline pilot/first officers are Oregon, Alaska, and Pennsylvania. The lowest average airline pilot/first officer salary states are North Dakota, Arkansas, and Arizona.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for airline pilot/first officers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | $109,273 | $52.54 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $107,575 | $51.72 |
| 3 | Virginia | $111,010 | $53.37 |
| 4 | Oregon | $130,609 | $62.79 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $111,665 | $53.69 |
| 6 | Nevada | $102,494 | $49.28 |
| 7 | Alaska | $115,752 | $55.65 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $109,445 | $52.62 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $110,580 | $53.16 |
| 10 | Iowa | $99,329 | $47.75 |
| 11 | Illinois | $100,263 | $48.20 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $105,186 | $50.57 |
| 13 | Texas | $105,132 | $50.54 |
| 14 | Louisiana | $101,685 | $48.89 |
| 15 | Montana | $107,051 | $51.47 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $98,949 | $47.57 |
| 17 | New York | $105,086 | $50.52 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $95,310 | $45.82 |
| 19 | Florida | $107,175 | $51.53 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $99,665 | $47.92 |
| 21 | Kansas | $99,786 | $47.97 |
| 22 | Colorado | $98,913 | $47.55 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $97,518 | $46.88 |
| 24 | Ohio | $98,355 | $47.29 |
| 25 | Utah | $102,378 | $49.22 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $97,745 | $46.99 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $108,701 | $52.26 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $91,582 | $44.03 |
| 29 | Idaho | $89,975 | $43.26 |
| 30 | Washington | $96,220 | $46.26 |
| 31 | Missouri | $92,142 | $44.30 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $90,099 | $43.32 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| 34 | California | $102,197 | $49.13 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $86,263 | $41.47 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | $89,579 | $43.07 |
| 37 | Georgia | $87,618 | $42.12 |
| 38 | Maryland | $89,881 | $43.21 |
| 39 | Arizona | $84,818 | $40.78 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $87,076 | $41.86 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $86,696 | $41.68 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $86,140 | $41.41 |
| 43 | Vermont | $87,635 | $42.13 |
| 44 | Michigan | $86,951 | $41.80 |
| 45 | Connecticut | $90,273 | $43.40 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $88,832 | $42.71 |
| 47 | Delaware | $90,514 | $43.52 |
| 48 | Wisconsin | $78,847 | $37.91 |
| 49 | Maine | $79,405 | $38.18 |
| 50 | Indiana | $78,388 | $37.69 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $89,727 | $43.14 |
Highest paying cities for airline pilot/first officers
The highest-paying cities for airline pilot/first officers are Philadelphia, PA, Saint George, UT, and Houston, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $112,323 | $54.00 |
| 2 | Saint George, UT | $106,673 | $51.29 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $105,379 | $50.66 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $105,319 | $50.63 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $105,252 | $50.60 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $105,135 | $50.55 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $100,382 | $48.26 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $98,161 | $47.19 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $89,759 | $43.15 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $89,614 | $43.08 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $78,338 | $37.66 |
Airline pilot/first officer salary details
An airline pilot/first officer's salary ranges from $74,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $120,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an airline pilot/first officer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $10,000 | $58 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,000 | $8,917 | $51 |
| Average | $94,830 | $7,903 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
| 10th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
Highest paying airline pilot/first officer jobs
The highest paying types of airline pilot/first officers are engine pilot, airline pilot flight instructor, and air force pilot.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Commander | $70,672 | $5,889 | $33.98 | 1,581 |
| Flight Engineer | $85,035 | $7,086 | $40.88 | 2,042 |
| Pilot | $83,128 | $6,927 | $39.97 | 3,049 |
| Air Force Pilot | $98,196 | $8,183 | $47.21 | 3,867 |
| First Officer | $82,510 | $6,876 | $39.67 | 89,899 |
Top companies hiring airline pilot/first officers now:
Which companies pay airline pilot/first officers the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Republic Airways Holdings | $94,633 | $45.50 |
| 2 | SkyWest Airlines | $94,574 | $45.47 |
| 3 | CommutAir | $93,628 | $45.01 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Airline pilot/first officer salary trends
The average airline pilot/first officer salary has risen by $32,631 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average airline pilot/first officer earned $62,199 annually, but today, they earn $94,830 a year. That works out to a 26% change in pay for airline pilot/first officers over the last decade.
Compare airline pilot/first officer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average airline pilot/first officer salary over time
Compare airline pilot/first officer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Airline pilot/first officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,800 | $45.59 | +8.5% |
| 2024 | $86,700 | $41.70 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $82,700 | $39.75 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $80,900 | $38.90 | +6.9% |
| 2021 | $75,300 | $36.20 | +8.2% |
Airline pilot/first officer salary FAQs
Search for airline pilot/first officer jobs