Pilot Salary in USA: The Ultimate Guide to Monthly & Hourly Pay in 2025
Pilot salary in USA ranges from zero to over $350,000 per year—depending on pilot license type, flight hours, employer, and seniority.
Private pilots can’t legally earn a salary. Commercial pilots typically start around $45,000, while experienced airline captains fly for six figures annually. But most pilots don’t earn a flat monthly rate—they’re paid hourly, for flight time only.
This guide breaks down the real numbers behind pilot earnings in 2025—by license, job role, location, and experience level—so you know exactly what to expect before you invest in training.
Pilot Salary in USA By License Type
The type of license you hold is the single biggest factor in how much you can earn as a pilot in the USA.
Private Pilot License (PPL): You can’t legally be paid to fly. No hourly or monthly salary applies—pilot salary in USA at this level is zero.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Allows you to earn money by flying cargo, charter flights, or instructing (if certified). Salaries here range from $45,000 to $95,000 per year.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Many commercial pilots teach to build hours. Average pay is $25–$50 per hour, translating to $35,000–$70,000 annually depending on school and flight time.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): This is where serious income begins. Airline captains and first officers with ATP licenses earn anywhere from $90,000 to over $350,000, depending on seniority, airline, and aircraft type.
Pilot salary in USA grows with each certification level. If income is your goal, moving beyond a PPL is mandatory.
Average Pilot Salary in USA by Certification Level (2025 Data)
To understand where you stand—or what’s possible—here’s a breakdown of pilot salary in USA by license type, based on current 2025 data:
| License Type | Hourly Pay | Monthly Pay (Avg) | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot (PPL) | N/A | N/A | $0 (Not permitted) |
| Commercial Pilot | $35–$75 | $3,500–$8,000 | $45,000–$95,000 |
| Flight Instructor | $25–$50 | $2,500–$6,000 | $35,000–$70,000 |
| Airline Pilot (ATP) | $70–$250+ | $7,000–$25,000+ | $90,000–$350,000+ |
These numbers reflect base salary and do not include bonuses, per diem, or travel benefits, which we’ll cover later. Still, they give a clear picture of how pilot salary in USA scales with experience and certification.
Pilot Salary in USA by Experience Level
Experience is just as important as your license. The more hours you log, the more you earn—especially once you cross key thresholds like 500, 1,000, and 1,500 hours.
| Experience Level | Typical Role | Pilot Salary in USA |
|---|---|---|
| 0–500 hours | CFI, entry-level charter | $25,000–$50,000 |
| 500–1,500 hours | Part 135, turboprop FO | $45,000–$70,000 |
| 1,500+ hours | Regional airline FO | $70,000–$120,000 |
| 3,000+ hours | Major airline FO | $120,000–$200,000 |
| 5,000+ hours | Airline captain | $200,000–$350,000+ |
If you’re just starting out, don’t expect big numbers. Pilot salary in USA begins modestly, then accelerates with hours and type ratings.
Major vs. Regional: Airline Pilot Salary in the USA
Your employer matters—especially in the airline world. Regional airlines pay less, but they’re often the first step after meeting ATP minimums. Legacy and cargo carriers offer the highest salaries, along with better contracts and perks.
| Airline Type | Starting Monthly Pay | Top Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Airlines | $4,000–$6,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Legacy Carriers (Delta, United) | $8,000–$12,000 | $20,000–$30,000+ |
| Cargo (FedEx, UPS) | $9,000–$13,000 | $25,000–$35,000+ |
| Low-Cost Airlines | $5,000–$9,000 | $12,000–$18,000 |
The highest pilot salary in USA often comes from FedEx, UPS, or long-haul international carriers. But getting there takes years of flying and thousands of logged hours.
Hourly Pay vs. Flight Hours: How Pilot Salary in the USA
Unlike traditional jobs, pilots don’t earn based on a flat salary. Instead, pilot salary in USA is primarily calculated using flight hours—not total hours on duty.
Here’s how it works:
Flight Hour Pay
Pilots are paid only for block time—the moment the aircraft starts moving under its own power to when it stops. You might spend 10–14 hours a day on duty but only get paid for 5–8 flight hours.
Most airline contracts guarantee a minimum monthly block time, usually between 70 and 85 hours. Even if you fly less, you’re paid the minimum.
Example Breakdown
Let’s say your hourly rate is $120/hour:
- You fly 80 block hours this month
- Your base salary = $9,600
- Add per diem (e.g., $2.15/hr × 240 hours duty) = $516
- Total before bonuses = $10,116
But if your flights are delayed, canceled, or rescheduled, you might only log 60 hours. That month, you’d be paid the guaranteed minimum—often 70–75 hours, depending on contract.
Other Factors That Affect Hourly-Based Pay:
- Reserve status: Pilots “on call” may earn less than active line holders
- Per diem: Paid hourly during trips for meals/lodging—common rates range $1.75–$2.50/hour
- Premium pay: Offered for holiday flights, international legs, or last-minute assignments
- Minimum daily guarantee: If you report but fly only 1 hour, you may still get paid for 3–4
The real value of pilot salary in USA comes not just from base hourly rates, but from how many hours you fly, how efficient your schedule is, and what benefits or guarantees your airline includes in your contract.
Bonuses, Perks & Extra Pay That Boost Pilot Salary in USA
Beyond hourly wages, most full-time pilots receive substantial additional compensation that significantly increases their total income. These extras vary by airline type, seniority, and aircraft, but they’re a major part of real-world pilot salary in USA.
1. Sign-On and Retention Bonuses
Airlines facing pilot shortages now offer:
- Sign-on bonuses of $15,000–$75,000 for first officers (especially at regionals and low-cost carriers).
- Retention bonuses paid after 12–36 months of service. These can total up to $100,000 spread across the contract term.
- Example: In 2025, Horizon Air offered a $50,000 bonus for ATP-qualified applicants, paid over 18 months.
2. Per Diem Pay
Pilots receive a daily allowance for meals and expenses during trips. This is paid hourly, not by the day.
- Domestic per diem: ~$2.15/hour
- International per diem: ~$2.50–$3.00/hour
- A pilot on a 4-day trip (90 hours duty) can earn an additional $180–$270 in per diem alone.
Annual per diem earnings can add $3,000–$7,000+ depending on schedule and base.
3. Holiday & Premium Pay
- Pilots flying on major U.S. holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s) often receive 1.5x or 2x hourly pay.
- “Green slip” flying—last-minute coverage—can pay 200% of base rate.
- Example: A captain earning $220/hour may make $440/hour flying on Christmas.
4. Profit-Sharing & Contractual Bonuses
- Legacy carriers like Delta and United offer profit-sharing bonuses in profitable years—some pilots receive 10–20% of annual salary as a bonus.
- Union-negotiated raises and lump-sum payouts (especially during contract renewals) can also bump income by $5,000–$15,000 in a single year.
5. 401(k), Insurance, and Benefits
- 401(k) matching: Major airlines contribute up to 16% of your salary.
- Health benefits: Most pilots enjoy premium health, vision, and dental coverage through unions or company plans.
- Disability & life insurance: Often included and paid for in full or part by the employer.
At the top-tier airlines, these benefits add $20,000–$35,000 in non-cash value annually.
Summary: How It Adds Up
| Bonus/Perk | Annual Value (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Sign-on/Retention Bonus | $15,000–$75,000 |
| Per Diem | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Holiday/Premium Pay | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Profit-Sharing | $5,000–$25,000+ |
| 401(k) Contributions | $10,000–$25,000 |
| Health & Disability Plans | $5,000–$10,000 |
When factoring in these extras, total pilot salary in USA—especially at the airline level—can exceed $400,000+ for senior captains.
How Pilot Salary in USA Grows Over Time
Your salary doesn’t just jump when you change airlines—it grows year by year even if you stay in one place. Most carriers follow step pay systems where each year of seniority brings a raise.
Sample Airline Pay Progression (Major Carrier, Narrow-Body)
| Year | First Officer Pay (Monthly) | Captain Pay (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,000 | N/A |
| Year 3 | $10,000 | N/A |
| Year 5 | $13,000 | $17,000 |
| Year 10 | $15,000 | $22,000+ |
| Year 15+ | $18,000+ | $25,000–$30,000+ |
You start small—but each promotion (to larger aircraft, or from FO to Captain) multiplies your income. Long-term, pilot salary in USA becomes extremely competitive with careers in law, engineering, or finance.
Some senior captains at FedEx or Delta report annual earnings exceeding $350,000–$400,000 with international routes and bonuses.
Private vs. Commercial vs. Airline: Pilot Salary in USA Summary Table
To make it simple, here’s a side-by-side breakdown of pilot salary in USA based on license level and typical career path:
| Pilot Type | Can Earn Salary? | Typical Monthly Pay | Annual Income Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot (PPL) | No | $0 | $0 | FAA prohibits compensation for flight time |
| Commercial Pilot (CPL) | Yes | $3,500–$8,000 | $45,000–$95,000 | Includes charter, banner towing, aerial survey |
| Flight Instructor (CFI) | Yes | $2,500–$6,000 | $35,000–$70,000 | Entry-level job to build hours toward ATP |
| Regional Airline FO | Yes | $5,000–$9,000 | $60,000–$110,000 | First step after ATP; lower pay, more flying |
| Major Airline Captain | Yes | $17,000–$30,000+ | $200,000–$400,000+ | Top of the chain, long-haul and legacy carriers |
This summary gives a clean, at-a-glance snapshot of how pilot salary in USA increases with certification, flight time, and job type.
Conclusion: Is Pilot Salary in USA Worth the Training?
Pilot salary in USA can start small—but it grows fast. While private pilots earn nothing legally, commercial and airline pilots steadily climb from $45,000 to $350,000+ depending on hours, airline, and license level.
Yes, flight training is expensive. Yes, the hours are long. But the payoff is real. In 2025, with record demand and airline shortages, pilots are earning more than ever—and with strong benefits, bonuses, and travel perks, the job offers more than just a paycheck.
If you’re serious about turning flying into a career, start with the end in mind. Get trained, build your hours, earn your ATP—and the salary will follow.
FAQ: Pilot Salary in USA (2025)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the average pilot salary in USA in 2025? | Around $134,000/year for airline pilots; commercial pilots average $60,000–$95,000. |
| Can private pilots earn a salary in the USA? | No. FAA regulations prohibit private pilots from receiving compensation for flying. |
| What’s the starting salary for a commercial pilot in the USA? | Typically $3,500–$5,500/month or $45,000–$65,000 annually. |
| How much does a senior airline captain earn? | Up to $30,000/month or over $350,000/year including bonuses. |
| Do pilots get paid during training or ground time? | No. Pilots are only paid for flight hours unless their contract includes ground duty pay or training guarantees. |
Contact the Florida Flyers Flight Academy Team today at (904) 209-3510 to learn more about how to do the foreign pilot license conversion in 4 steps.
