The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $117,290 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $60,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $187,200.

The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $76,150 in May 2015. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $147,890.

In May 2015, the median annual wages for commercial pilots in the top industries employing these pilots were as follows:

According to the Air Line Pilots Association, International, most airline pilots begin their careers earning about $20,000 per year. Wages increase each year until the pilot accumulates the experience and seniority needed to become a captain. The average captain at a regional airline earns about $55,000 per year, and the average captain at a major airline earns about $135,000 per year.

In addition, airline pilots receive an expense allowance, or “per diem,” for every hour they are away from home, and they may earn extra pay for international flights. Airline pilots also are eligible for health insurance and retirement benefits, and their immediate families usually are entitled to free or reduced-fare flights.

Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include several days of intense work followed by some days off. Flight assignments are based on seniority. In general, seniority enables pilots who have worked at a company for a long time to get preferred routes and schedules.

Airline pilots spend a considerable amount of time away from home because flight assignments often involve overnight layovers—sometimes up to several nights a week. When pilots are away from home, the airlines typically provide hotel accommodations, transportation to the airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses.

Commercial pilots also have irregular schedules. They typically fly between 30 hours and 90 hours each month. Commercial pilots may have less free time than airline pilots because they frequently have more nonflight responsibilities than airline pilots have. Although most commercial pilots remain near their home overnight, they may still work nonstandard hours.

Union Membership

Most airline and commercial pilots belonged to a union in 2014.