How Do Pilot Salaries Differ by Rank?

Airline pilots generally progress through a hierarchy, with pay increasing as they gain experience, seniority and responsibility. However, rank terminology differs between airlines, and promotion is not always automatic.

Does a Senior First Officer always earn more than a junior Captain?

Not necessarily. A newly promoted Captain at a smaller airline might earn less than a highly experienced Senior First Officer at a major legacy carrier. A pilot moving between airlines might also sacrifice seniority and take a lower salary, even when they have considerable flying experience.

For that reason, comparing airline pilot salaries solely by rank can be misleading. The airline, aircraft operation, seniority and employment contract all need to be considered.

UK Airline Pilot Salary Comparison by Rank and Airline Type

The following figures provide broad guidance on the UK pilot salary market in 2026. They are indicative annual gross cash earnings before personal income tax and National Insurance, and should not be interpreted as guaranteed salaries or official statistical averages.

These broad ranges reflect different employers, published recruitment packages, pilot pay information and seniority levels. Individual salaries may fall outside them, and the figures can include basic salary and typical cash supplements where applicable. Employer pension contributions and non-cash benefits are excluded.

How Much Do Cadet Pilots and Newly Qualified Pilots Earn?

One of the biggest misconceptions about pilot salaries is that a student who completes professional flight training immediately begins earning a substantial airline salary.

In reality, many aspiring pilots receive no salary while completing their initial flight training. Some self-funded students pay substantial training fees, while sponsored cadets may receive funding or financial support under the terms of their programme.

A cadet is not necessarily an employed, salaried airline pilot. The pay position changes when the individual joins an airline under an employment contract.

Newly Qualified Second Officer Salary

Some airlines employ newly qualified pilots initially as Second Officers. Depending on the airline, this may be a training or operational rank before progression to First Officer.

For example, a published UK airline-sponsored training programme states that successful trainees are expected to receive a starting salary in excess of £35,000 if subsequently offered employment, with flying allowances such as sector pay and flight duty subsistence paid separately.

At other UK operators, the initial airline pay scale can be considerably higher. The contractual terms, seniority system and whether type rating training is paid for by the employer all influence the value of an offer.

Remember: Some cadet training schemes are sponsored but do not guarantee employment. Always check when salary begins and whether any training bond or repayment obligation applies.

Source: Published UK cadet programme salary and employment guidance.

How Much Do Junior and Senior First Officers Earn?

A First Officer, sometimes referred to as a co-pilot, is a fully qualified member of the flight crew. First Officers operate the aircraft alongside the Captain and normally share the pilot flying and pilot monitoring duties according to the airline’s procedures.

As they gain experience and years of service, First Officers typically move through the airline’s salary scale. Some operators distinguish between Second Officer, First Officer and Senior First Officer, while others use different titles or pay thresholds.

Junior First Officer Pay

In regional airlines or smaller commercial operations, a newly recruited First Officer might earn approximately £35,000–£55,000, although more competitive airlines may offer higher starting pay.

A UK cargo operator, for example, currently publishes a First Officer basic salary of £44,269, with additional away-from-base and air-mileage payments.

At larger short-haul airlines, starting pay may be materially higher, especially for experienced direct-entry pilots or those joining established pay scales rather than entry-level cadet contracts.

Senior First Officer Pay

Experienced First Officers at major airlines can earn substantially more than those at the beginning of their careers.

At regional airlines, Senior First Officer salaries may be around £50,000–£75,000. At larger short-haul operators, experienced First Officers can receive packages exceeding £100,000, and at major long-haul legacy airlines, senior First Officer earnings can exceed £150,000.

Seniority can therefore make an enormous difference. Two First Officers operating the same aircraft at the same airline may have different salaries because they occupy different points on the pay scale.

At some airlines, a Senior First Officer may also undertake additional duties such as training, safety, recruitment, standards or management responsibilities. These positions can attract additional remuneration where provided for in the relevant contract.

How Much Do Airline Captains Earn?

Captains are generally the highest-paid pilots within an airline’s normal flight crew rank structure. They are the aircraft commanders and hold overall responsibility for the safe conduct of the flight.

Captain salaries vary enormously between airlines. A recently promoted Captain at a regional operator might earn less than an experienced Senior First Officer at a major airline, while a top-of-scale long-haul Captain at a large legacy carrier can earn several times the salary of a newly qualified pilot.

Regional Airline Captain Salaries

Regional airlines usually operate smaller aircraft and shorter sectors, often connecting smaller airports with larger airline networks.

A published UK regional airline recruitment package in 2026 advertised Captain basic salaries from approximately £77,000 to £102,000, with additional sector pay of around £5,500–£8,000 annually depending on flying activity.

Regional command can offer an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, but it does not necessarily provide the same long-term remuneration as command at a major short-haul or long-haul airline.

Short-Haul Airline Captain Salaries

Experienced Captains flying aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 can earn substantial salaries, particularly at well-established airlines with competitive pay agreements.

As an example, one major European low-cost airline currently advertises first-year Captain earnings potential of up to £155,500, or €165,000 depending on the employment location and contract.

Some experienced short-haul Captains at established airlines can earn more than this, especially where they benefit from higher seniority, flying-related payments or additional responsibilities.

Long-Haul Airline Captain Salaries

Major legacy airlines operating long-haul aircraft often have particularly attractive Captain pay scales, especially towards the upper end of the seniority structure.

Some experienced UK long-haul Captains can earn over £200,000 in basic salary before flying pay, while top-scale total cash earnings can exceed £250,000 annually.

The following example demonstrates how a high-end long-haul Captain’s annual remuneration may be structured.

It is important to appreciate that such earnings usually reflect a considerable number of years in the industry, experience in command and a favourable position on an established airline pay scale. They should not be regarded as a typical salary immediately following command promotion.

How Much Do Training Captains and Pilot Examiners Earn?

Some experienced airline pilots undertake additional training or checking responsibilities alongside their normal flying duties. These positions can attract substantial salary supplements or other forms of additional remuneration.

Depending on the airline, training roles may include:

• Line Training Captain (LTC): Conducts line training for pilots during their supervised operational flying.
• Line Check Captain: Assesses pilots during normal line operations where authorised under the airline’s checking arrangements.
• Type Rating Instructor (TRI): Delivers approved aircraft type-rating instruction, commonly including simulator training.
• Type Rating Examiner (TRE): Conducts authorised assessments, skill tests and proficiency checks within the privileges of their examiner qualification.
• Training or Standards Management: May involve additional administrative, operational oversight or management responsibilities.

How are training Captains paid?

The additional remuneration depends on the airline and the responsibilities undertaken. Some contracts provide a fixed annual allowance or salary percentage uplift. Others use additional pay for particular training duties, or a separate salary scale for training and checking positions.

A training Captain might therefore earn several thousand pounds more per year than an ordinary line Captain, while more senior training or examiner positions at major airlines can attract larger allowances.

For example, an additional £30,000 training allowance on top of a senior Captain package could take total annual cash earnings from approximately £255,000 to £285,000.

However, training appointments are limited and subject to selection. They are not simply automatic promotions achieved through seniority, and not all training roles or allowances can be combined.

Regional, Low-Cost, Legacy, Short-Haul and Long-Haul Pilot Salaries

The type of airline can have a major influence on a pilot’s salary, career progression and working conditions. However, it is important not to assume that every legacy airline pays more than every low-cost airline, or that every long-haul pilot earns more than every short-haul pilot.

1. Regional Airlines

Regional carriers typically operate smaller aircraft such as ATR turboprops or Embraer regional jets. They often fly relatively short sectors and serve smaller airports or feeder routes.

Regional pilot salaries are often lower than at major jet operators, although this is not universally the case. Some regional airlines offer faster opportunities to gain command experience, which may be attractive to pilots early in their careers.

For example, published UK regional Captain basic salaries can extend beyond £100,000 at the upper end of an established scale, with additional payments depending on roster and flying activity.

2. Low-Cost Airlines

Low-cost airlines primarily operate short- and medium-haul routes using aircraft such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 family.

Although low-cost airlines are sometimes assumed to offer poor salaries, that is not necessarily true. Some provide very competitive pay, particularly for experienced Captains and pilots with favourable employment contracts.

Low-cost airline pilots may also receive considerable flying-related pay because of the frequency of sectors operated. Some companies use sector pay, while others use flying-hour payments, productivity-related arrangements or a combination of different supplements.

However, airline contracts differ significantly. A high advertised earnings figure might assume a particular amount of flying, roster pattern or employment arrangement.

3. Legacy and Full-Service Airlines

Legacy airlines are established carriers which generally operate full-service networks and may include both short-haul and long-haul flying.

Many have structured seniority-based pay scales, with pilots progressing through annual salary increments and sometimes receiving separate flying pay, sector payments and additional allowances.

At major legacy airlines, the difference between a junior First Officer and a senior long-haul Captain can be very substantial.

Some senior legacy Captains also benefit from valuable employer pension contributions and supplementary remuneration for training or checking responsibilities.

4. Short-Haul versus Long-Haul Flying

Short-haul pilots usually operate several sectors during a duty period and may return to their home base at the end of the day. Long-haul pilots typically fly fewer but longer sectors, often involving time away from home, overnight accommodation and international time-zone changes.

Long-haul airline pay can be higher, particularly for experienced Captains, but this is not guaranteed. Some senior short-haul Captains can earn more than junior long-haul Captains or First Officers.

Flying pay structures also differ. A short-haul pilot may earn sector pay for several flights per day, while a long-haul pilot’s remuneration may be linked to flying hours, distance, time away from base or contractual flight payments.

The more meaningful comparison is therefore between complete contractual pay packages rather than simply the size of aircraft flown.

How Much Do Business Jet and Private Jet Pilots Earn?

Business aviation is another important career sector for professional pilots. It includes corporate flight departments, privately operated aircraft, charter companies, aircraft management organisations and fractional ownership operators.

Aircraft range from smaller Citation and Phenom jets through to large-cabin Gulfstream, Bombardier Global and Dassault Falcon aircraft capable of operating long international sectors.

Business jet pilot pay varies particularly widely because aircraft size, operator, client expectations, location and working arrangements can be very different.

Business Jet First Officer Salaries

UK and European business jet First Officers may earn approximately £45,000–£110,000 or more depending on the aircraft, experience and employer. Some specialist international positions offer substantially more, especially where pilots have valuable type ratings or extensive long-range experience.

However, unlike many major airlines, some business aviation positions have individually negotiated terms rather than a transparent seniority pay scale.

Business Jet Captain Salaries

Captains operating smaller business jets may earn less than senior Captains at major commercial airlines. However, experienced large-cabin business jet Captains can command highly competitive salaries, particularly in the premium international corporate aviation market.

In the United States, the 2026 BizJetJobs salary survey reports Captain compensation ranges exceeding $300,000 on several large-cabin aircraft types, with some new-generation ultra-long-range jet positions above $400,000 at the upper end of the published range.

These are US business aviation survey figures, not UK salary equivalents, and the survey includes compensation components such as benefits and bonuses. The figures should therefore not be directly converted into pounds and treated as typical UK salaries.

The US National Business Aviation Association also reports continued increases in business aviation remuneration in its 2026 compensation survey, based on responses from hundreds of member organisations.

Read the NBAA’s 2026 business aviation compensation findings.

Is Business Jet Flying Better Paid Than Airline Flying?

It can be, but there is no universal answer. A senior Captain on a large international business jet may earn an excellent salary, while a First Officer on a smaller aircraft may earn considerably less than their airline counterpart.

Business aviation may also involve very different working arrangements. Some pilots have predictable rotations, while others are expected to remain flexible around aircraft owner or client requirements. Contract pilots may be paid on a daily-rate basis but need to account for gaps between assignments, insurance, taxation and other business costs.

How Much Do Cargo and Charter Pilots Earn?

Cargo airlines operate a wide variety of aircraft, from smaller turboprops carrying regional freight to large Boeing 777, 767 and 747 freighters operating international cargo networks.

As with passenger airlines, there can be a very substantial difference between smaller regional operators and major long-haul cargo carriers.

UK Cargo Pilot Salary Example

A UK cargo airline’s published 2026 recruitment information provides a useful example of basic salary and additional payments:

Long-Haul Cargo Airlines

At major international cargo airlines, particularly in the United States, pilot salaries can be considerably higher.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots working in the couriers and express delivery services industry was $334,930 in May 2025, compared with $293,240 in scheduled air transportation.

This difference illustrates that cargo flying is not necessarily a lower-paid sector. Some long-haul freight carriers operate with highly competitive contractual pay scales, although rosters can include extensive overnight flying and periods away from home.

Charter and ACMI Operators

Charter and ACMI operators provide aircraft, crew and associated services for other airlines or customers. They may operate passenger or cargo aircraft, with contracts ranging from seasonal flying to long-term international operations.

Salary arrangements vary considerably depending on the operator, aircraft, operating base and whether pilots are permanently employed or working under a contract arrangement. Some roles include extensive overseas deployment, subsistence or positioning allowances.

A headline salary should therefore be evaluated alongside duty patterns, time away from home, pension arrangements and employment security.

How Much Do Airline Pilots Earn Around the World?

Airline pilot salaries differ significantly between countries. Some of the highest published earnings are found at major US airlines, established European carriers, international Middle Eastern operators and selected premium business aviation companies.

However, comparing international salaries requires care. Different countries have different tax rules, currencies, living expenses, pension systems and employment benefits.

United States

The United States has one of the world’s largest airline industries, with substantial differences between regional airlines, major passenger carriers, cargo airlines and business aviation operators.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following annual wage data for May 2025:

Note: These are official occupational or industry medians, not starting salaries or Captain-specific pay scales. The first figure covers the broader airline pilot occupation; the other airline figures apply to particular industries and therefore describe different populations.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Europe

European pilot salaries vary between countries and airlines, with differences in collective agreements, pay progression, flying-related payments and pension arrangements.

As an example, SAS publishes starting First Officer gross monthly salaries depending on the pilot’s experience, type rating and operating country. The published Danish scale starts at approximately DKK 37,915–44,342 per month across the stated entry categories.

Additional allowances and benefits can apply. This is a starting First Officer scale rather than a representation of experienced European pilot earnings.

View the published Scandinavian First Officer salary scale.

Middle East

Major Middle Eastern airlines can offer attractive remuneration, particularly for experienced pilots joining on direct-entry contracts.

For example, Emirates currently publishes annualised basic salary and flying pay of approximately AED 385,000 for direct-entry First Officers and AED 575,000 for direct-entry Captains. A higher First Officer cash package is also advertised for qualifying experienced candidates.

The airline separately values accommodation, education support, transport, medical benefits and provident fund contributions within its overall employment package. These additional benefits should not be confused with cash salary.

Although employment income may be free of local personal income tax in the United Arab Emirates, individual tax consequences can depend on personal circumstances and tax residence.

Emirates First Officer pay and benefits | Emirates Captain pay and benefits

Other International Markets

Canada, Australia, Asia and other aviation markets have their own contractual arrangements, levels of seniority, training structures and taxation rules.

Rather than converting UK salaries into foreign currencies, aspiring pilots should compare salaries published by employers in the relevant country, taking into account local costs of living, income taxation and the benefits included in each contract.

How Is an Airline Pilot’s Salary Calculated?

An airline pilot’s total earnings are often made up of several different elements. Understanding these is essential when comparing employment contracts.

Why is basic salary different from total earnings?

A pilot might have a contractual basic salary of £100,000 but receive a further £15,000 in flying payments. Their total gross cash earnings would therefore be approximately £115,000 before other supplements and deductions.

Alternatively, a pilot earning £150,000 basic salary may have a valuable employer pension contribution, making the overall remuneration package worth more than £150,000 even though their cash salary remains unchanged.

When comparing airlines, we recommend looking at basic salary, realistic annual flying pay, pensions and employment conditions separately.

How Do Airline Pilot Salaries Increase Throughout a Career?

For many airline pilots, the greatest salary increases occur as they gain seniority, progress to Captain and move through a Captain pay scale. Training and management appointments can provide further opportunities.

Stage 1: Flight Training and Initial Airline Employment

Most pilots begin by investing in professional training, unless they are fortunate enough to secure a fully funded or sponsored pathway. Salary generally begins when they enter paid employment, although the precise arrangements depend on the programme.

Stage 2: Junior First Officer

During their first years of airline flying, pilots develop operational experience, complete line training and gradually progress through the company’s salary structure.

Stage 3: Experienced or Senior First Officer

With increasing seniority, pilots may move onto higher pay scales and become eligible for additional duties or progression towards command. At major airlines, experienced First Officers can already earn substantial salaries.

Stage 4: Captain

Command promotion often represents a major salary increase, but it is subject to the airline’s operational requirements, command vacancies, training standards and eligibility criteria.

Stage 5: Senior Captain and Training Appointments

Over time, a Captain may move towards the top of their pay scale. Some pilots are also selected for training, checking, standards or management appointments, potentially increasing their remuneration further.

Read our guide to how long it can take to become an airline Captain.

What Factors Have the Biggest Impact on Airline Pilot Pay?

There are several reasons why pilots with similar flying qualifications can have very different incomes.

• Rank: Captain salaries are usually higher than First Officer salaries within the same airline and pay system.
• Seniority: Years of service can have a significant impact on basic salary and employment benefits.
• Type of airline: Regional, low-cost, legacy, cargo and business aviation employers may have very different remuneration structures.
• Aircraft operation: Long-haul or larger aircraft operations may provide higher pay, although there are many exceptions.
• Contract type: Permanent employment, contractor arrangements and self-employment can affect remuneration and financial risk.
• Flying activity: Sector payments, flying hours and duty patterns may influence annual earnings.
• Additional responsibilities: Training, checking, recruitment, safety and management appointments may provide extra income.
• Country and tax residence: Income tax, social contributions and living costs can materially affect take-home income.
• Pension and benefits: Two pilots on similar basic salaries may have substantially different overall employment packages.

Are airline pilots paid only when they fly?

Most directly employed airline pilots receive contractual remuneration that is not simply payment for time spent airborne. They may receive a fixed salary alongside additional flying-related payments.

Some contractor arrangements are different, and pay may depend more directly on flying activity or guaranteed minimum hours. The exact employment contract therefore matters.

Does a bigger aircraft mean a higher salary?

Not necessarily. While some major airlines operate higher pay scales for certain fleets or types of operation, others use broadly common pilot salary structures across different aircraft types.

A senior short-haul Captain can therefore earn more than a junior long-haul Captain or an experienced First Officer flying a larger aircraft.

Gross Salary, Take-Home Pay and Pension Contributions

All the UK salary examples in this article are expressed before personal taxation unless stated otherwise.

A pilot earning £150,000 gross annually will not receive £150,000 in their bank account. Their actual take-home pay depends on income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and other deductions.

Taxation is particularly important when comparing UK and overseas airline contracts. A lower gross salary in one country may provide a different net income after tax, but the comparison should also take account of housing, education, healthcare and living expenses.

How Valuable Is an Airline Pension?

Employer pension contributions can make a significant difference to overall remuneration, particularly at more established airlines.

For example, an employer contribution equal to 15% of a £150,000 pensionable salary would represent £22,500 annually, before considering any pensionable pay limits, contribution rules or other scheme conditions.

However, this is pension remuneration rather than cash salary. It should not be added to take-home pay.

What Other Benefits Do Airline Pilots Receive?

Depending on the airline, pilot employment packages may include:

• Employer pension contributions and retirement benefits.
• Staff travel concessions for pilots and eligible family members.
• Private medical insurance or other healthcare benefits.
• Loss-of-licence insurance or support.
• Life assurance and income protection.
• Annual leave and contractual days off.
• Paid recurrent training, licence and medical renewals.
• Accommodation and transport when away from base.
• Education and housing allowances in some overseas contracts.
• Performance bonuses or profit-sharing arrangements.

These benefits can be very valuable, particularly over a long career, but their availability and conditions vary enormously between employers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airline Pilot Salaries

How much does a newly qualified airline pilot earn in the UK?

Newly qualified pilots might begin on approximately £35,000–£65,000 depending on the airline and initial rank. Some employers pay more, while training-related arrangements can produce lower initial earnings.

How much does a Senior First Officer earn?

A Senior First Officer at a UK regional airline may earn around £50,000–£75,000, while experienced First Officers at major short-haul and long-haul airlines can earn over £100,000. At the upper end of legacy long-haul operations, senior First Officer earnings can exceed £150,000.

Can an airline Captain earn £200,000?

Yes. Some experienced Captains at major UK legacy airlines can earn more than £200,000 annually. Earnings depend on their airline, pay scale, flying activity and additional responsibilities.

Can a UK airline pilot earn £300,000?

Some pilots in particularly well-remunerated senior, training or management positions may approach or exceed £300,000 in total annual earnings. However, this is an exceptional level of remuneration rather than a typical airline pilot salary.

Do training Captains earn more than normal Captains?

Often, yes. Training Captains may receive additional payments for line training, simulator instruction, checking or examining. The amount depends on the airline’s contract and the particular appointment.

Do long-haul pilots earn more than short-haul pilots?

Not always. Seniority, airline and pay structure may have a greater effect than the length of the flights. Some experienced short-haul Captains earn more than junior long-haul Captains.

Are low-cost airline pilots well paid?

Many are. Some major low-cost airlines advertise Captain earnings exceeding £150,000. However, remuneration varies with rank, country, contractual terms and flying activity.

Are business jet pilots paid more than airline pilots?

Some large business jet Captains earn very high salaries, particularly in premium corporate aviation. However, smaller business jet operations may pay considerably less. Business aviation contracts and working conditions also vary widely.

Do airline pilots receive an annual salary increase?

Many airlines operate incremental pay scales, meaning pilots move through salary steps with qualifying service. Other increases may be negotiated through collective agreements or company pay reviews. Progression is not identical at every airline.

Are pilots paid for the time they spend on the ground?

Airline pilots generally receive contractual salaries covering their employment responsibilities, not simply an hourly wage for time in the air. Some also receive additional payments based on flying activity, duty hours or sector operations.

Our Advice: Understanding Airline Pilot Earnings

An airline pilot career can offer excellent long-term earning potential, particularly for those who progress into senior First Officer, Captain, training or management positions.

However, the difference between salaries at the beginning and end of a pilot’s career can be enormous. Some newly qualified pilots start on relatively modest pay, while senior Captains at major airlines may earn more than £250,000 a year, with additional remuneration potentially available for training duties.

The most important point is that there is no single airline pilot salary. Rank, seniority, employer, type of operation, contractual flying pay and benefits all contribute to the overall package.

Explore More About an Airline Pilot Career