How Much Do Airline Pilots Make in 2025?
A Pilot's Hourly Rate is Based on Seniority
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Airline pilots are paid according to an hourly system. Although their annual earnings are often presented as a salary, commercial pilots generally earn an hourly wage based on their flight hours, with a guaranteed minimum number of hours each month. Depending on airline, seniority, equipment, and role, airline pilots can make between $90 per hour to over $400 per hour.
Due to the constraints placed on pilots by the FAA, most fly about 75 hours per month. There are more work hours involved, such as preflight planning, but time in the cockpit, and thus the pay, is usually about 75 hours monthly. In addition to flight time, pilots are also paid per diem, which serves to reimburse pilots for the food and beverage expenses that they incur on the road. For this discussion, add in $7,000 per year to every annual salary to reflect per diem.
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- $93 per Hour
- 75 Hours per Month
- $7,000 Per Diem
- =$90,700
