Airline Pilot salary
From 27 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 53-2011: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
At a glance
- Median up 168% since FY2022. From $91,740 in FY2022 to $245,544 in FY2025 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Airline Pilot H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 27 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Airline Pilot jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 53-2011, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers). The median base salary is $222,976, 82% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $145,226 and $320,902.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | – | 0 |
| Level II · Qualified | – | 0 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Airline Pilot does
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
Typical tasks
- Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (53-2011.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers), the median annual wage was $232,140 in May 2025, with 103,560 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $222,976, 4% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $104,327 | $106,710 |
| 25th percentile | $145,226 | $182,280 |
| Median | $222,976 | $232,140 |
| 75th percentile | $320,902 | $239,200+ |
| 90th percentile | $336,440 | $239,200+ |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $104,327 |
| 25th | $145,226 |
| 50th (median) | $222,976 |
| 75th | $320,902 |
| 90th | $336,440 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2022 | $91,740 | $90,480 | $118,600 | 14 |
| FY2023 | $214,280 | $126,672 | $296,400 | 11 |
| FY2024 | $152,161 | $113,916 | $209,040 | 22 |
| FY2025 | $245,544 | $182,941 | $320,902 | 22 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 5 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Airline Pilot make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Airline Pilot jobs is $222,976 (27 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $145,226 and $320,902.
Do H-1B Airline Pilots earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($222,976) is 4% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($232,140, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.