Airline Pilot Salary and Job Outlook
The outlook for airline pilots remains strong. Drawing on government and industry data, this page sets out what pilots earn, where hiring is headed and the path from a first lesson to the flight deck.
Updated October 2026
- Median airline pilot pay
- $232,140
- Projected job growth to 2035
- +8%
- New pilots North America needs by 2045
- 122,000
- U.S. airline pilots in 2025, a record
- 105,244
Airline pilot salary
The rewards match the responsibility. In May 2025, airline pilots earned a median of $232,140 a year, more than four times the median for all U.S. workers, while the top 10 percent earned more than $463,830.
Earnings grow at every stage of the career. First officers advance to captain, and pilots at regional airlines move on to the major carriers.
Airline pilot job outlook
Airline pilot jobs are projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, well ahead of the 3% expected across all occupations. Behind that growth are steady openings, a generation of pilots nearing retirement and a global fleet that continues to expand.
- Steady openings About 16,400 pilot positions are projected to open each year through 2035, most of them as experienced pilots retire or change careers.
- A generation retiring Some 42,000 major airline pilots are expected to retire over the next 15 years, more than 3,000 a year between 2028 and 2031.
- A growing fleet Boeing forecasts that North America alone will need 122,000 new pilots from 2026 to 2045. Worldwide, it expects two-thirds of new aviation hires to replace people who retire.
- A worldwide need Airbus expects 660,000 new pilots to be needed by 2045 as the global airline fleet doubles.
- Hiring on the rise The largest U.S. airlines hired 3,863 pilots in the 12 months to July 2026, up 74% from 2,215 a year earlier.
How to become an airline pilot
- Private pilotYour first certificate, and the foundation for everything that follows.
- Instrument ratingThe skill to fly through cloud and low visibility by instruments alone.
- Commercial pilot and multi-engineThe qualifications to fly for pay, including aircraft with more than one engine.
- Flight instructorBuild flight time by teaching others, a key route to the airlines.
- Airline transport pilotReach 1,500 flight hours and earn the certificate every airline requires.
- Airline first officer, then captainBegin as a first officer, the co-pilot, and advance to captain with seniority.
We train you through every step to flight instructor, and your certificates can count toward college credit along the way. See what training costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much do airline pilots make?
Airline pilots earned a median of $232,140 a year in May 2025. At scheduled airlines the median reached $293,240, and the top 10 percent earned more than $463,830.
Are airlines hiring pilots?
Yes. The largest U.S. airlines hired 3,863 pilots in the 12 months to July 2026, 74% more than the year before, and U.S. airlines employed a record 105,244 pilots in 2025. Around 16,400 pilot openings are projected each year through 2035.
Is there still a pilot shortage?
Demand remains strong. Hiring has settled since the record years of 2022 and 2023, yet Boeing forecasts that North America will need 122,000 new pilots by 2045, and the Air Line Pilots Association describes the outlook as stable and well supported into the next decade.
How many flight hours do you need to fly for an airline?
Airlines require an airline transport pilot certificate, which calls for 1,500 flight hours.
Do you need a college degree to be an airline pilot?
No. A college degree is not required to become an airline pilot. If you would like one, we offer a path there: your certificates with us can count toward college credit, up to 45 credits.
How do new pilots build flight hours?
Many build them by teaching. Flight instructors are a key source of future airline pilots, and their numbers grew 30% between July 2021 and July 2026. Once you earn your instructor certificate, you can apply to instruct with us.
Is there a retirement age for airline pilots?
Yes. U.S. airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach 65, which is why some 42,000 major airline pilots are expected to retire over the next 15 years.
What is the difference between an airline pilot and a commercial pilot?
Airline pilots fly passengers and cargo on fixed schedules. Commercial pilots fly unscheduled work such as charter flights, aerial tours and crop spraying. In May 2025, the median pay was $232,140 for airline pilots and $123,220 for commercial pilots.
How many hours do airline pilots work?
Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and spend about 150 more on other duties. Federal rules limit the hours pilots may work and set minimum rest between flights.
Where these figures come from
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots. Pay, May 2025; projections, 2025–35.
- Air Line Pilots Association, “Pilot Employment Trends: Outlook Remains Strong”, October 2026. Hiring and retirement figures from Future & Active Pilot Advisors; pilot employment from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; flight instructor numbers from the FAA.
- Boeing, 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook, July 2026. Forecast for 2026–2045.
- Airbus, Global Services Forecast 2026–2045.
- Federal Aviation Administration, airline transport pilot training and maximum pilot age.
Begin your path to the flight deck
Book a free tour and we’ll outline your projected cost and timeline. When you start lessons, your first 3 hours with an instructor are free.
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