Pilot pay ranges from nothing to several hundred thousand dollars a year, depending entirely on what kind of flying you do. Here is a realistic look at what pilots actually earn, starting with why “private pilot salary” is a trick question.
This is part of our How to Become a Pilot guide.
Why “private pilot salary” does not exist
A private pilot generally cannot be paid to fly. The private certificate is for personal and recreational flying, with a few narrow exceptions in 14 CFR 61.113: for example, you may share a flight’s operating expenses pro rata with your passengers, and you may fly for compensation when the flight is only incidental to your business or job and carries no passengers or property for hire. To make flying your paid job, you need at least a commercial certificate. So if you are searching for a private pilot salary, the honest answer is that there is no such thing.
Commercial pilot pay
Once you hold a commercial certificate, paid flying opens up: flight instruction, banner towing, aerial survey, charter, and cargo. Entry-level commercial jobs vary widely, and many new commercial pilots instruct to build the hours needed for airline jobs. For commercial pilots (unscheduled flying such as charter, aerial application and aerial tours), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $123,220 in May 2025.
Regional and major airline pay
Airline pay has risen sharply in recent years. These figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and are for May 2025:
- Median pay: airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers earned a median annual wage of $232,140.
- Seniority: airline pilots usually begin as first officers and get raises as they gain experience and seniority. The lowest-paid 10 percent of airline pilots earned less than $106,710.
- Top earners: the highest-paid 10 percent of airline pilots earned more than $463,830. Senior major airline captains, especially on large wide-body aircraft, are among the highest paid.
Other flying careers
- Certified flight instructor (CFI): a modest hourly wage, valuable mostly for building hours toward the airlines.
- Corporate and charter: wide range, often competitive with the airlines at the top end.
- Cargo: major cargo carriers pay comparably to passenger majors.
The path to top pay
The highest salaries go to senior captains at major airlines and cargo carriers, reached by climbing the certificate ladder, building hours (often by instructing), flying for a regional, and then moving to a major. It takes years, but the long-term earning potential is strong.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private pilot get paid?
Generally no. 14 CFR 61.113 allows only narrow exceptions, such as sharing a flight’s operating expenses pro rata with passengers, or flying that is only incidental to your business or job with no passengers or property carried for hire. Flying as a job requires at least a commercial certificate.
How much do airline pilots make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $232,140 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers in May 2025. Pay rises with experience and seniority, so new first officers earn less than senior captains.
How long does it take to reach six figures?
It varies with the airline and your seniority. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that only the lowest-paid 10 percent of airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers earned less than $106,710 in May 2025, so most airline pilots earn six figures.