how much money does a commercial airline pilot make?

Question

someone who works for an airline like southwest.

Answer 1

The answer TOTALLY DEPENDS on these factors:
*Seniority (tenure) with the airline
*Aircraft flown
* Seat (Captain of First Officer)

Each company has a set 'minimum guarantee' flight hour pay in their pilot contract. This is generally about 75 hours per month but varies slightly by airline. However, in no case will the pilot earn less than the 'minimum guarantee'. They may fly less than 75 actual flight hours but they will still be paid that per their contractual guarantee. If they get a flight schedule that is blocked for more flight hours than the minimum guarantee, they will then get paid for the greater amount of time flown instead, plus per diem. Also, flight crew make about $1-3 per hour in 'per diem' for every hour they are away from their domicile on a trip to cover expenses. This generally adds a few hundred dollars to their pay check.

SOUTHWEST:
They are some of the top paid pilots in the industry! A new hire SOUTHWEST first officer will start at no less than $4,056/mo or $48,672/year. (Compare with AA or United who start at less than $30K/yr.) That pay figure is calculated using the airlines new hire/first year hourly rate ($52) times their monthly guarantee (78) only! No per diem is included. If the pilot flies more than guarantee each month then they will easily clear $50K/yr. On average, most SWA F/Os fly more like 85-90 per month which is $4,420-$4,680 per month or $53,040 - $56,160/yr. I know several new hires at SOUTHWEST and with a few hours of overtime each month, they expect to make $65K this year.

The SOUTHWEST top out pay is $198 per hour for captains. If a pilot flew the MAX allowed by the FAA in one calendar year, they would make $198,000 without any per diem. Additionally, pilots at SWA are given profit sharing and stock options. A captain pal of mine who retired from SWA 2 years ago was making $240K/year with all his added benefits and he wasn't even flying the max allowed!

Other airline base pay can be calculated using the hourly rate by seat & seniority x their monthly guarantee. Use the rates at this link-

"Airline Pilot Pay Snapshot"
http://airlinepilotcentral.com/newsflash/newsflash/airline_pilot_pay_snapshot_-_summer_2007_20070630240.html

Answer 2

If you're new - very low.
As low as $18K/year I've heard. Ave is around $25K/Year. Plus you're carrying over $40K loan from training with a 10% APR...

Don't do it unless you're in love of flying.

Or treat it as a low-paying intern for a few years. After 5 years may be you'll get to $60k/year.

And if you become a major airline capt. It's a different story. Over $100K/year I'd say.

Answer 3

Av8trxx is absolutely correct with this answer. Your pay varies with many factors and no is making 283,000/year anymore. Those days are gone.

Answer 4

Someone told me that the average salary is $263,000

Answer 5

Not enough for him to pay for his three month old Volvo. I just repo'd it yesterday.