Flex Air Flight School offers training to become an airline pilot, highlighting that airline pilots are among the highest-paid professionals with median annual wages of $211,790 as of May 2022. Salaries vary based on the type of airline, experience level, and aircraft complexity, with major airlines paying an average of $222,000 compared to $86,579 for regional airlines. The document emphasizes the projected growth in pilot demand due to a shortage, as well as potential lifetime earnings exceeding $24 million for top earners.

1. Airline Pilot
Salaries

2. About Flex Air
Flex Air Flight School operates both
Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools and
has been recognized as an AOPA
Distinguished and Military Friendly®
Flight School.
We can help you become an airline
pilot, even with no prior experience.

3. Salary for Airline Pilots
Airline pilots are among the most
highly paid professionals in the
world.
The salary for airline pilots is
expected to increase in the future,
as the air travel industry recovers
and expands.
According to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the median annual
wage for airline pilots, copilots, and
flight engineers was $211,790 in
May 2022

4. The type of airline: Regional airlines
typically pay less than major
airlines, but have less competitive
hiring requirements.
The type of aircraft: Larger and
more complex aircraft pay more. t
The experience level: Experienced
pilots earn more than new entrants.
Supply & demand: There is a pilot
shortage and demand for pilots is
expected to grow. The supply of
pilots is expected to be tight, as
many pilots retire.
Factors that Affect
Airline Pilot Salary

5. Lifetime Earnings for
Airline Pilots
According to Kit Darby, one of the
foremost authorities on pilot earnings.
The potential lifetime earnings of a pilot,
for the highest earners, a captain at
UPS of 40 years, are estimated at a
little over 24 million dollars in total
career earnings.

6. Salaries for Captains at
Major Airlines
In addition to annual earnings, pilots
receive paid vacation time, participate
in employer health, life and disability
insurance and retirement plans and
travel for free.

7. Salary for First Officers
at Major Airlines
These rates do NOT include the signing
bonuses of up to $30,000 many airlines
offer to attract new pilots.

8. Regional Airline Pilot
Salaries
One of the main factors that affect the
airline pilot salary is the type of airline
they work for. Regional airlines typically
pay less than major airlines, as they
have lower operating costs and less
competitive hiring requirements. For
example, the average annual pay for a
Regional Airline Pilot in the United
States is $86,579. On the other hand, a
Major Airline Pilot makes an average of
$222,000 a year.

9. Become an Airline Pilot
The Flex Air Career Pilot Academy
trains you to be a commercial pilot in as
little as 12 months, even with no prior
experience!
More Airline Salary Info
Read our full report on airline pilot
salaries including regionals and cargo
pilot salary information.