How much do airline pilots get paid? Starting off and so on?

Question

I want to be an airline pilot and I was curious how much they got paid, especially starting off?

Answer 1

Well, it does not depend on your background or if you were ex-airforce. The airlines have set pay scales that all pilots are paid. They are based on the years of service with that airline and what seat you are sitting in (Captain or First Officer). Nothing more.

You will most likely start out as a flight instructor making about $12,000/year. Next step is the regionals where you start at $20,000/year and top out around $100,000/year after 18 years. Then if you make the jump to major airlines you will go back to about $35,000/year and top out at around $200,000/year after 18 years or so.

Of course these numbers are just averages, some may be higher and some may be lower but these are a good start. check out airlinepilotcentral.com for some more good information.

And by the way, most pilots now are not from the Air Force. That used to be the case but is not that way anymore. Most now are civilian trained.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How much do airline pilots get paid? Starting off and so on?
I want to be an airline pilot and I was curious how much they got paid, especially starting off?

Answer 3

How Do Pilots Get Paid

Answer 4

You can't say without background information. It all depends; I mean, how much experience you have; what rank they assign to you when you start; hell even if you had been in the Air Force or not can even make a difference; how much schooling...you get the point. Airline Pilot is a very competitve field; its not something you can just wake up one day and find a position in the newspaper. There's a lot involved; most airline pilots are ex air force; as I plan to be; ex air force. I would say don't worry; they make enough money to survive and if you really have the heart and soul to be an airline pilot then money is not an issue. Cheers.

Answer 5

great pilot getas paid $500,000

Answer 6

This website has pay information for almost every airline: http://willflyforfood.cc/airlinepilotpay/

Answer 7

Check out this website: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm

It is the government website for labor, so it is reliable...

Answer 8

Try this web site airlinepilotcentral.com

Answer 9

I remember a long time ago hearing anywhere from 35,000 to 60,000 a year.

Answer 10

Hi. Just a quick backround on my pilot career with American Airlines. I started flying for them back in 1979 flying for American Eagle airlines on the Saab 340. It was when I first started my pilot career. The starting pay was 29,000 at the time. When technology developed, American Eagle retired the Saab 340 and brought in the New Embraer 135 and the 145. By that time, I was a captain at the regionals in 1992, making around 110,000 per year. Not bad right? Yes, it is true the starting salary is not great today, but it gets better. My first year as a captain on the E135, I made around 55k-60k per year. And, like I said, My last year captain salary in the Embraer was topped out at 110,000. I still think thats a fantastic salary. So after my regional days (which is the best and most enjoyable part of your pilot career believe it or not) I was eventually hired by American on the MD-80 in 1993. As I started working on the MD-80 as a FO (First Officer) I made around 70-75k for first year. I upgraded to captain 7 years later in 2000. Of course it was a bad time to upgrade because of 911, and many of my pilot friends were laid of, or set back to flying for American Eagle. When Things got better, pay was raised to normal again. My 13th year as a captain on the MD-80, I topped out at 240,000 per year. Unfortunately, I had to retire last year in 2014. So I hope this helped. If you are planning on flying, go for it. Yes, I know the struggle with the first year salary but thats how it works if you go into aviation. But, it all works out in the end. You are most likely going to be able to raise a family in a fairly wealthy neighborhood, and have a wonderful life. I hope this answers your question!