Curious what a career as a commercial pilot actually pays? With salaries reaching well into six figures, piloting remains one of the most rewarding career paths in aviation. Here's a breakdown of what pilots really take home in 2026.
A High-Earning Career Path
Becoming a commercial pilot can be one of the most rewarding careers in aviation, both personally and financially. Pay depends on a few things, how much experience you have, how many hours you've flown, the aircraft you fly, and which airline you work for. The salary numbers look big, but a good chunk goes to tax, so it's worth keeping that in mind while planning your career.
Legacy and Widebody Carriers
The big full service airlines flying long haul widebody aircraft usually pay the most. First officers on these routes can make anywhere from $70,000 to $125,000 a year, while captains can earn $100,000 up to $225,000, depending on the aircraft and how senior they are.
Most pilots don't start here though. The typical path is starting at a regional or smaller airline first, building hours and experience, then moving up to long-haul flying with the big carriers later.
Low Cost and Budget Airlines
Budget airlines might surprise you, they're growing fast and are always on the lookout for pilots, so the pay is becoming more competitive to hold on to experienced crew. First officers here usually earn $65,000 to $100,000, and captains can take home $170,000 to $220,000, numbers that are now close to what legacy airlines pay.
What makes budget airlines attractive though is speed. A lot of them hire pilots fresh out of cadet programs and you can become a captain in just a few years, much faster than at the big airlines.
What This Means for Aspiring Pilots
Whether your goal is flying long haul on a widebody jet or becoming a captain quickly, there's more than one good path in aviation. What matters most is picking the right flight training program, one that actually prepares you with what airlines are looking for.