Absolutely not. While both careers are in aviation, fixed-wing (airplane) pilots typically earn more than helicopter pilotsoften significantly.
1. Comparative Salary Numbers
Helicopter (Rotary-Wing) Pilots (U.S.):
ZipRecruiter reports an average annual pay of about $100,249, which translates to approximately $8,354 per month.
Fixed-Wing (Airplane) Pilots (U.S.): These pilots earn notably more, with averages around $121,800 annually or about $10,150 per month .
2. Additional Insights from Aviation Sources
Industry discussions and forums reinforce that airplane pilots have higher long-term earning potential than helicopter pilots.
However, certain helicopter roles like offshore oil & gas operationscan offer substantially higher salaries, with captains earning between $73,100 and $190,000 annually, and first officers between $32,500 and $65,000, depending on rank and specialization.
3. Why the Salary Gap?
Flight Environment & Role Complexity: Airplane pilots typically fly larger aircraft often over long distances, under structured airline operations that come with greater compensation and benefits.
Career Progression: Airplane pilots particularly in commercial airlines follow clearer paths to senior ranks with predictable pay increases.
Demand & Supply: There's significantly higher global demand for fixed-wing pilots, especially in commercial aviation, compared to the more niche helicopter market.
Summary
While both aviation careers are demanding and rewarding, monthly salaries differ noticeably. On average, fixed-wing (airplane) pilots earn more, with typical pay around $10,150/month versus $8,354/month for helicopter pilots in the U.S. And though exceptions exist especially in specialized helicopter sectors airplane pilots generally enjoy higher earning potential in the long run.