How much do 747 pilots get paid

American Airlines Cadet Academy. Airline Direct. Rotor Transition Program. About Coast. College Program. VA Benefits. Airline Partners. San Diego, CA. San Marcos, TX. Dallas, TX. Email Us. Contact Us. With a worldwide shortage of pilots creating ample job opportunities and increasing salaries at airlines, airline pilot salaries are a topic of major interest. Understanding how pay works for pilots can help you decide whether this career is right for you.

Most airlines guarantee a minimum number of hours per month, so that pilots can count on at least a minimum amount of monthly income. A regional airline pilots in the U. And although prospective pilots may imagine a lifetime in the air, the reality is that pilots spend just as much time on the ground as they do in the airplane. The average airline pilot logs 75 hours a month in the air and sometimes up to hours per month performing ground duties like simulator training, maintaining records, performing pre-flight inspections, flight planning and traveling to and from hotels and airports.

This allowance covers meals and other incidentals the pilots may accrue. And airlines typically pay for lodging when a pilot has to stay away from home overnight. Non-jet aircraft pilots make significantly less. Each airline has its own pay schedule, but nearly all offer standard raises annually.

Pilots experience the biggest salary increase in their first five years. You also need college courses such as English, math, physics and aeronautical engineering. Other key qualifications include physical attributes such as keen depth perception and a quick reaction time, and communication and problem-solving skills. Average salaries for pilots can vary somewhat by city. You can earn more as a pilot as you gain experience in the industry. Annual increases alone can add thousands of dollars to your salary.

You might also use your experience to obtain a higher-paying job. Larger airlines, for example, usually pay more than smaller ones because they generate higher sales volumes to support the higher salaries.