Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In the United States, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $232,140 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is the closest official benchmark for a pilot flying scheduled commercial jet service. BLS reports a separate median of $123,220 for commercial pilots, a different occupational category.
Which salary figure applies to a commercial jet pilot?
For scheduled airline service in the U.S., use the May 2025 median of $232,140 for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. BLS defines this group as pilots flying scheduled routes. Its separate commercial-pilot category covers other kinds of flying and excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots. The BLS profile lists firefighting and crop dusting as examples of commercial-pilot work.
So, although “commercial jet pilot” is a common phrase, the $123,220 commercial-pilot median is not the better figure for a scheduled airline pilot. The category distinction matters more than the wording of the job title.
How the 2025 U.S. wage figures compare
| BLS measure | May 2025 figure | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage: airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | $232,140 | U.S. occupational median for the scheduled-airline category. |
| Median annual wage: commercial pilots | $123,220 | U.S. occupational median for the separate commercial-pilot category. |
| Lowest 10% of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | Less than $106,710 | Lower end of the reported earnings distribution. |
| Highest 10% of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | More than $463,830 | Upper end of the reported earnings distribution. |
The median is the midpoint: half of workers in the measured group earned more and half earned less. It is neither an average nor a promise of a particular pilot’s salary. The two 10% figures show how wide the distribution can be; they are not entry-level and maximum salary rates.
#1 Best Overall
Why salaries differ by industry and employer
BLS reports different May 2025 medians for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers across industries. These are occupational medians within each industry, not pay scales for an individual airline or contract.
| Industry | May 2025 median |
|---|---|
| Couriers and express delivery services | $334,930 |
| Scheduled air transportation | $293,240 |
| Support activities for transportation | $202,680 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $141,140 |
These industry figures are useful context, but they do not establish what a specific airline pays. The BLS profile does not provide airline-by-airline 2025 contract rates.
How experience, seniority, and additional pay affect earnings
BLS says airline pilots typically begin as first officers and receive wage increases as they build experience and seniority. Job title alone does not capture these differences, and the national median cannot be used to infer a particular captain’s or first officer’s pay.
- Experience and seniority: Pay can rise over a pilot’s career and with seniority at an employer.
- Per diem: Pilots may receive an expense allowance for each hour away from home.
- International flying: Some pilots may receive additional pay for international flights.
- Employer and role: Compensation terms vary, so a national occupational median is not a substitute for an employer’s pay schedule.
When comparing salary claims, check whether each figure refers to the same occupation, industry, role and seniority, and whether it is a wage figure or includes additional compensation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Why flight hours are not the same as paid working time
BLS reports that airline pilots averaged 75 flight hours per month and spent an additional 150 hours per month on other duties, such as checking weather and planning flights. Schedules vary and may include overnight layovers. Dividing the annual median by flight hours would produce a misleading “hourly wage,” because the annual wage measure and flight time do not account for all the work involved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the median can—and cannot—tell you
The $232,140 figure is a U.S. benchmark for May 2025, not a worldwide estimate, a starting salary, or a guaranteed amount for an individual. For a realistic comparison, first confirm whether a number refers to scheduled airline pilots or the separate commercial-pilot category; then consider industry, role, seniority and the compensation terms included.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
