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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $232,140 median annual wage in May 2025 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers. That is the best national benchmark for airline pilot salaries in the United States—not a starting salary, guaranteed individual income or pay rate at a specific airline.
How much do airline pilots make in the U.S.?
The BLS median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025. A median is the midpoint: half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less. It is not the same as an arithmetic average, and it does not predict what a particular pilot will earn.
The BLS reported that workers at the 10th percentile earned less than $106,710, while those at the 90th percentile earned more than $463,830. These figures show how widely pay can vary across the occupation; they do not identify the salary for a particular rank, airline or experience level. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots
How does airline pilot pay vary by industry?
The BLS also reports median wages by industry. Those figures describe workers in each industry group, not pay scales at individual employers.
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| Industry or occupation | May 2025 median annual wage | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled air transportation | $293,240 | Industry median; not a rate for every scheduled airline. |
| Support activities for transportation | $202,680 | Industry median; not limited to a named airline. |
| Couriers and express delivery services | $334,930 | Industry median, not an airline-specific salary. |
| Commercial pilots | $123,220 | A separate occupation from airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers. |
Industry figures are useful context, but they are not a substitute for an airline’s current contract or pay table. The BLS occupation-wide estimate and the industry estimates measure different cuts of wage data. BLS wage and occupation data
Why do individual airline pilots earn different amounts?
Rank and seniority are central to understanding a pilot’s pay. The BLS says: “Airline pilots usually begin their careers as first officers and receive wage increases as they accumulate experience and seniority.” A national median combines workers at different career stages, so it should not be treated as the pay for a new first officer or an experienced captain. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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For a specific offer or pay table, compare the details that determine what the numbers represent:
- Rank: first officer or captain.
- Seniority: years of service and the applicable pay step.
- Aircraft or equipment: the equipment category covered by the employer’s rate.
- Employer and operation: a carrier’s own agreement, rather than a national occupational statistic.
- Wage versus total compensation: whether figures include per diem, bonuses, retirement contributions and benefits.
The BLS notes that pilots may receive per diem while away from home, extra pay for international flights, and free or reduced-fare travel for themselves and immediate family. Those items can affect the value of a compensation package, but the $232,140 median should not be read as a complete accounting of every benefit or payment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
What does the work schedule mean for salary comparisons?
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, airline pilots average 75 hours of flying and an additional 150 hours of other duties per month. These are occupational averages, not a schedule for every pilot. The work can involve variable schedules and overnight layovers, so comparing compensation only with flight hours leaves out other work duties and time away from home. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
What qualifications are associated with an airline pilot career?
The BLS says airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot, and must meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Commercial pilots typically need flight training and must also meet FAA requirements. These are general career qualifications, not a statement of training cost, time to employment or expected salary. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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How to use the 2025 salary figure
- Use $232,140 as a national May 2025 median for the combined BLS occupation of airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers.
- Do not call it a starting salary, an airline-specific rate or a guaranteed amount.
- For a job decision, compare the employer’s current pay table by rank, seniority and equipment, then distinguish wages from additional compensation and benefits.
CareerOneStop identifies its Salary Finder figures as May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data and lets users explore state and sub-state estimates. O*NET also displays the BLS 2025 national median and percentiles. Local estimates can add geographic context, but they do not replace an employer’s pay table. CareerOneStop Salary Finder · O*NET: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
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