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Airline pilot salary
Average airline pilot salary
$85,534
Average Airline Pilot Salary Overview
The average salary for airline pilots in the United States is $85,534 per year, which equates to about $41 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, years of experience, and the specific airline. For instance, airline pilots in states like California and Texas often earn more than their counterparts in states with lower living costs.
Factors Affecting Salaries
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level pilots typically earn less, while those with more years in the cockpit can command higher salaries. Additionally, pilots working for major airlines often receive better pay and benefits compared to regional carriers.
Salary Insights by State
To gain a clearer picture of salary expectations, here are some of the highest-paying states for airline pilots:
- California: Average Salary $102,000
- Texas: Average Salary $90,000
- Florida: Average Salary $85,000
Understanding these trends can help aspiring pilots assess their career paths and make informed decisions about where to apply.
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Where can an Airline Pilot earn more?
Airline pilot salary estimates from across the web
Average airline pilot salary by state
The average airline pilot salary in Oregon, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average airline pilot salary states are Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for airline pilots
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $117,208 | $56.35 |
| 2 | Alabama | $97,630 | $46.94 |
| 3 | Nevada | $97,176 | $46.72 |
| 4 | Florida | $97,184 | $46.72 |
| 5 | Alaska | $95,636 | $45.98 |
| 6 | Montana | $99,101 | $47.64 |
| 7 | Virginia | $101,654 | $48.87 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $105,147 | $50.55 |
| 9 | Texas | $95,442 | $45.89 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $102,342 | $49.20 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $97,058 | $46.66 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $99,623 | $47.90 |
| 13 | Utah | $91,667 | $44.07 |
| 14 | South Carolina | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $96,631 | $46.46 |
| 18 | Iowa | $89,122 | $42.85 |
| 19 | Kansas | $88,812 | $42.70 |
| 20 | Colorado | $89,978 | $43.26 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $90,373 | $43.45 |
| 22 | Ohio | $89,558 | $43.06 |
| 23 | New York | $96,587 | $46.44 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $88,362 | $42.48 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $83,061 | $39.93 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $84,851 | $40.79 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $88,121 | $42.37 |
| 28 | Idaho | $82,078 | $39.46 |
| 29 | California | $89,844 | $43.19 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $81,635 | $39.25 |
| 31 | Maryland | $88,344 | $42.47 |
| 32 | Missouri | $82,302 | $39.57 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $77,782 | $37.40 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $77,637 | $37.33 |
| 35 | Arizona | $80,378 | $38.64 |
| 36 | Washington | $87,822 | $42.22 |
| 37 | Delaware | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| 38 | Massachusetts | $82,717 | $39.77 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $83,146 | $39.97 |
| 40 | Connecticut | $83,198 | $40.00 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $82,003 | $39.42 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $81,941 | $39.39 |
| 43 | Michigan | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $76,836 | $36.94 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $77,801 | $37.40 |
| 46 | Georgia | $78,595 | $37.79 |
| 47 | Vermont | $80,627 | $38.76 |
| 48 | Indiana | $70,914 | $34.09 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| 50 | Maine | $73,298 | $35.24 |
| 51 | Illinois | $74,095 | $35.62 |
Highest paying cities for airline pilots
The highest-paying cities for airline pilots are Saint George, UT, Saint Paul, MN, and Miramar, FL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint George, UT | $97,883 | $47.06 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $97,229 | $46.74 |
| 3 | Miramar, FL | $96,426 | $46.36 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $93,902 | $45.15 |
| 5 | Salisbury, MD | $89,186 | $42.88 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $79,291 | $38.12 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $78,547 | $37.76 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $74,281 | $35.71 |
Airline pilot salary details
An airline pilot's salary ranges from $66,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an airline pilot's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $9,167 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $8,083 | $47 |
| Average | $85,534 | $7,128 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| 10th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
Highest paying airline pilot jobs
The highest paying types of airline pilots 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 |
| Airline Pilot/First Officer | $94,830 | $7,902 | $45.59 | 63,022 |
| Air Force Pilot | $98,196 | $8,183 | $47.21 | 3,867 |
Top companies hiring airline pilots now:
Which companies pay airline pilots the most?
Airline pilot salaries at Spirit Airlines and SkyWest Airlines are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average airline pilot salary at companies like Piedmont Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spirit Airlines | $90,994 | $43.75 |
| 2 | SkyWest Airlines | $90,907 | $43.71 |
| 3 | Piedmont Airlines | $89,516 | $43.04 |
| 4 | ExpressJet Airlines | $89,255 | $42.91 |
| 5 | Envoy Air | $88,719 | $42.65 |
| 6 | Atlas Air | $87,613 | $42.12 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Airline pilot salary trends
The average airline pilot salary has risen by $29,432 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average airline pilot earned $56,102 annually, but today, they earn $85,534 a year. That works out to a 26% change in pay for airline pilots over the last decade.
Compare airline pilot salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average airline pilot salary over time
Compare airline pilot salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Airline pilot salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,500 | $41.12 | +8.5% |
| 2024 | $78,200 | $37.61 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $74,600 | $35.85 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $73,000 | $35.08 | +6.9% |
| 2021 | $67,900 | $32.65 | +8.2% |
Recently added airline pilot salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Air, Inc. | Airline Pilot | Miami, FL | 03/13/2025 | $209,806 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 02/21/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 02/20/2025 | $202,752 |
| Cabincrewhq | PSA Airlines Pilot Salary and Benefits | Boone, NC | 02/16/2025 | $108,912 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 02/14/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 02/12/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 01/31/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 01/28/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 01/22/2025 | $202,752 |
| Spirit Airlines | Airline Pilot | Dania Beach, FL | 01/21/2025 | $202,752 |
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