Pilot salaries in the U.S. span a wide range influenced by role type of aircraft airline type (major vs. regional) experience and even union contracts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024):
For airline pilots copilots and flight engineers the lowest 10% earn less than $98,560/year
For commercial pilots the bottom 10% earn below $59,330/year
Entry-level positions such as flight instructors or regional airline first officers typically start at $35,000 to $60,000 annually In some cases new pilots may still be earning under $50,000/year
When first joining a regional or low-cost airline, base pay for first officers often begins around $48,500 annually, while lower-tier corporate or charter roles may align with the lower bounds mentioned above .
Key takeaway:
The absolute lowest reported earners among commercial pilots are making fewer than $59,330 annually.
For airline pilots on major carriers, the bottom 10% are still earning below $98,560/year.
Entry-level roles frequently start anywhere between $35,000 and $60,000/year depending on the career path and credentials.
These figures reflect the beginning stages of many pilot careers. As pilots gain experience and progress into higher paying roles such as senior captain or positions with major carriers salaries can increase dramatically often surpassing six figures. But for those just starting, the low end still sits around $35k–$60k/year with the absolute minimum lingering below $60k.