Commercial Pilot Salary in USA 2025
Regional vs major airline pay and career progression
Commercial Pilot Salary Range
How Much Do Commercial Pilots Earn in 2025?
Commercial pilots fly passengers and cargo for airlines, charter operators, and corporate flight departments. The industry uses a seniority-based pay system—pilots start as First Officers (FO) and progress to Captain, with pay increasing significantly at each step and with years of service.
2025 commercial pilot salaries reflect historic pilot shortage driving pay increases: BLS reports median of $148,900, but actual earnings vary dramatically. Regional airline first officers start at $60,000–$90,000, while major airline captains earn $200,000–$400,000+ after years of seniority.
The path to major airline captain is long but lucrative. Regional airlines serve as the entry point for most pilots, building hours needed for major airline hiring. Recent contract improvements have boosted pay across the industry. For context, see jobs that pay $100K.
Commercial Pilot Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BLS Median (All Pilots) | $148,900 |
| Regional First Officer | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Regional Captain | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Major Airline First Officer | $100,000–$180,000 |
| Major Airline Captain | $200,000–$400,000+ |
| Widebody Captain (Senior) | $350,000–$500,000+ |
Use our salary calculator for conversions.
Regional vs Major Airline Pilot Salary
| Airline Type | First Officer | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Regional (Year 1) | $60K–$75K | N/A |
| Regional (3+ yrs) | $75K–$95K | $100K–$130K |
| Major (Year 1) | $100K–$130K | N/A |
| Major (5+ yrs) | $150K–$180K | $250K–$350K |
| Major (10+ yrs) | $180K–$200K | $350K–$450K+ |
Regional Airlines
First Officer: $60,000–$90,000
Captain: $90,000–$130,000
Entry point for most commercial pilots. Operate smaller jets (CRJ, Embraer) on short-haul routes. Build hours toward ATP minimums (1,500 hrs) and major airline hiring requirements. Recent pay increases have improved regional compensation significantly.
Major Airlines (Legacy Carriers)
First Officer: $100,000–$180,000
Captain: $200,000–$400,000+
United, Delta, American, Southwest. Best pay, benefits, and schedules. Fly larger aircraft on domestic and international routes. New-hire FOs start ~$100K; senior widebody captains exceed $400K. Recent contracts pushed top rates even higher.
Major Airlines (Examples)
Delta: Year 1 FO ~$100K, Senior 777 Captain ~$430K
United: Year 1 FO ~$99K, Senior 787 Captain ~$420K
Southwest: Year 1 FO ~$90K, Senior 737 Captain ~$320K
Commercial Pilot Salary by Seniority
| Career Stage | Typical Salary | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Instructor | $30K–$50K | Pre-airline |
| Regional FO (New) | $60K–$75K | Year 1–2 |
| Regional Captain | $90K–$130K | Year 3–5 |
| Major FO (New) | $100K–$130K | Year 5–7 |
| Major FO (Senior) | $150K–$200K | Year 8–12 |
| Major Captain (Junior) | $220K–$280K | Year 12–18 |
| Major Captain (Senior) | $350K–$450K+ | Year 20+ |
Seniority System Explained
Airline pilot pay is seniority-based. You start at the bottom of the pay scale and progress annually. Seniority also determines equipment (aircraft type), base assignment, and schedule. A 20-year captain at a major airline flying international widebody routes earns 4–5x what a new regional FO makes.
Pilot Salary by Aircraft Type
| Aircraft Category | Captain Salary | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Jet | $90K–$130K | CRJ-200/700, E175 |
| Narrowbody | $200K–$300K | 737, A320 |
| Widebody | $300K–$450K+ | 777, 787, A350 |
Widebody Premium
Widebody aircraft (international long-haul) pay the highest rates. Senior 777/787 captains at legacy carriers can earn $400,000–$500,000+. These positions require decades of seniority and are the pinnacle of airline pilot careers.
Cargo vs Passenger Airline Pilot Salary
| Airline Type | FO Range | Captain Range |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Passenger | $100K–$200K | $200K–$450K |
| UPS | $100K–$190K | $230K–$370K |
| FedEx | $110K–$200K | $250K–$400K |
| Amazon Air | $95K–$175K | $200K–$320K |
Cargo Carrier Benefits
FedEx and UPS pay competitively with legacy passenger carriers. Different lifestyle: more night flying, less passenger interaction. Some pilots prefer cargo schedules and work environment.
How to Increase Your Pilot Salary
Get Hired at a Major Airline
Major FO earns $100K–$180K versus regional $60K–$90K. Requires 1,500+ hrs, ATP certificate, and competitive application.
Build Seniority
Seniority determines pay rate, equipment, and schedule. Each year brings automatic pay increases.
Upgrade to Captain
Captain pay is roughly 40–60% higher than FO at same airline. Requires passing upgrade training and checkride.
Transition to Widebody
Widebody captains earn $300K–$450K+ versus narrowbody $200K–$300K. Requires seniority to hold position.
Consider Cargo Carriers
UPS/FedEx pay competitively with lifestyle trade-offs. Alternative path to high earnings.
Career Path: Flight Instructor to Major Airline Captain
| Stage | Position | Salary | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flight Instructor (CFI) | $30K–$50K | 250–1,000 |
| 2 | Regional FO | $60K–$90K | 1,500–3,000 |
| 3 | Regional Captain | $90K–$130K | 3,000–5,000 |
| 4 | Major Airline FO | $100K–$200K | 5,000–10,000 |
| 5 | Major Airline Captain | $200K–$450K+ | 10,000+ |
Related Roles
Flight Attendant: $40,000–$80,000
Corporate Pilot: $80,000–$200,000
Air Traffic Controller: $80,000–$150,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average commercial pilot salary in 2025?
BLS reports median $148,900 for all pilots. Regional airline FOs earn $60K–$90K, regional captains $90K–$130K. Major airline FOs earn $100K–$200K, captains $200K–$450K+. Wide range reflects seniority-based pay system.
Can pilots make $300K or more?
Yes. Senior captains at major airlines (Delta, United, American) earn $300K–$450K+. Requires 15–20+ years of seniority. Widebody international routes pay highest. Top earners exceed $500K with maximum overtime. See jobs that pay $100K.
How long does it take to become an airline captain?
Typical path: 2–3 years flight training and instruction (1,500 hrs), 3–5 years regional (captain upgrade), 5–10+ years at major before captain upgrade. Total 10–18 years from starting flight training to major airline captain. Varies by market conditions.
Do regional pilots get paid enough?
Regional pay has improved significantly. Year 1 FO now earns $60K–$75K versus $25K–$35K a decade ago. Still lower than major airlines, but regional serves as paid training ground. Most regional pilots transition to majors within 3–5 years.
Is becoming a commercial pilot worth it?
Financially, yes—if you reach major airline captain ($200K–$450K+). Training costs $60K–$100K+. Regional pay lower early career. Long-term: excellent earnings, job security (pilot shortage), travel benefits. Lifestyle trade-offs: time away from home, irregular schedule.