How Much Do Pilots Earn UK Per Month? Salary Guide (2026)

A pilot’s monthly pay can rise quickly after take-off. So, how much do pilots earn UK per month as their flying hours grow? On average, pilots earn about £6,055 a month, or £72,646 a year. However, new pilots may start near £2,000 monthly. As they gain more flight hours, their pay usually rises. First Officers can earn much more, while senior captains may make over £16,000 a month. Pay also changes by airline, aircraft, route and job rank. On top of basic wages, pilots may receive flight pay, bonuses and overnight allowances. This guide explains each pay level clearly, from trainee pilot to experienced captain.

This guide explains average pilot salaries, earnings by experience, airline, aircraft type and the key factors that affect monthly pay. 

How Much Do Pilots Earn UK Per Month on Average? 

The average pilot earns £6,055 per month or £72,646 per year, according to the latest Indeed UK salary data. However, monthly earnings can vary greatly. New pilots may earn around £2,000 per month, while experienced captains can earn more than £16,000 per month. 

Your monthly salary depends on several factors, including your airline, aircraft type, job role, experience, flight hours and extra payments such as flight pay, duty pay, bonuses and overnight allowances.

How Much Do Pilots Earn UK Per Month As a Beginner?

New pilots in the UK usually earn £2,000 to £5,000 per month during their first year, depending on their role and employer. Flying instructors often receive a base salary of £1,100 per month, plus £15 to £25 for each flying hour. 

Trainee pilots generally earn £1,668 to £2,500 per month, while small airline pilots earn around £2,000 to £2,918 per month. Regional airline pilots usually receive £2,084 to £6,668 per month and entry-level First Officers often earn £2,500 to £5,000 per month, especially at larger commercial airlines.

How Much Do First Officers Earn in the UK?

A First Officer, also called a co-pilot, helps the captain operate the aircraft and ensures every flight runs safely. In the UK, First Officers usually earn £2,500 to £5,000 per month. According to our research, short-haul First Officers earn £2,918 to £5,000 per month, while long-haul First Officers often earn £4,584 or more per month. 

Regional First Officers usually receive lower salaries because they fly smaller aircraft. After several years, many First Officers earn £4,168 to £7,084 per month through promotions, more flight hours, larger aircraft and additional flight-related payments.

How Much Do Airline Captains Earn Per Month?

Airline captains earn more than First Officers because they take full responsibility for every flight. In the UK, newly promoted captains usually earn £5,000 to £5,834 per month. Regional captains often earn £5,000 to £6,668 per month, while short-haul captains can earn £6,668 to £10,834 per month. 

Long-haul and senior captains at major airlines may earn £12,500 to more than £16,668 per month. Most pilots need 3 to 5 years and 2,500 to 3,500 flight hours before becoming captains. Their salary continues to grow with experience, larger aircraft and international routes.

How Does Pilot Salary Increase With Experience?

A pilot’s salary does not stay the same throughout their career. Instead, it grows as they gain experience, complete more flight hours and take on greater responsibilities. Most pilots begin with lower salaries, but their earnings increase after becoming First Officers and captains. The speed of salary growth depends on the airline, promotions and the type of aircraft they fly.

• Student Pilot: No fixed salary while completing flight training.
• Flying Instructor: Earns £1,100 per month, plus £15 to £25 for each flying hour.
• First Officer: Usually earns £2,500 to £5,000 per month after joining an airline.
• Captain: Many pilots reach this role after 3 to 5 years and 2,500 to 3,500 flight hours.
• Senior Captain: Some pilots earn £12,500 to £16,668+ per month, although reaching this level may take 7 to 10+ years depending on promotions and seniority.

Which Airlines Pay Pilots the Highest Salaries?

Pilot salaries vary from one airline to another because each airline has different routes, aircraft and pay structures. Large international airlines usually offer higher salaries than regional or low-cost airlines. For example, British Airways pilots earn an average of £7,366 per month, while Wizz Air pilots earn about £9,397 per month. 

At Virgin Atlantic, experienced long-haul captains can earn £12,500 to £20,834 or more per month. Meanwhile, pilots at easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 usually earn £2,918 to £12,500 per month, depending on their rank, experience, aircraft type and flight routes.

Which Aircraft Type Pays Pilots More?

Not all pilots earn the same, and the aircraft they fly is one reason why. In general, larger aircraft and longer international routes offer higher pay because they require more experience and responsibility. Pilots who fly regional or turboprop aircraft usually earn less than those flying wide-body aircraft on long-haul flights. 

For example, pilots flying a Boeing 737, Airbus A320 or Airbus A321 typically earn £2,918 to £10,834 per month. Meanwhile, pilots operating Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A330, Airbus A350 and private jets can earn £4,168 to £20,834 or more per month, depending on their airline and experience.

Which UK Cities Offer the Highest Pilot Salaries?

Pilot salaries can change from city to city. Cities with large airports often offer better pay. Big airport hubs handle more flights and hire more pilots. This can create more high-paying job opportunities.

According to our recent analysis, Birmingham has the highest average pilot salary at £14,858 per month. Heathrow follows with £9,781, while Leeds offers around £7,988. Cities like London, Oxford, and Exeter also offer good salaries. However, your airline, aircraft type, experience, and job role can affect your pay more than your location.

What Extra Payments Do UK Pilots Receive?

A pilot’s monthly income includes more than their basic salary. Most airlines offer extra payments throughout the month. These include flight pay, duty pay, sector pay and overtime. Pilots also receive daily, overnight, long-haul, meal and hotel allowances. 

In addition, many airlines offer performance bonuses, profit sharing and loyalty bonuses. The total amount depends on the airline, aircraft type and flight schedule. Therefore, many pilots earn much more than their basic monthly salary. These extra payments can add hundreds or even thousands of pounds each month.

What Benefits Do Airline Pilots Receive?

Airline pilots receive more than a monthly salary. Most airlines also offer valuable employment benefits that improve financial security and work-life balance. However, these benefits vary between airlines, job roles and employment contracts.

• Financial protection: Many airlines provide pension contributions, life insurance, loss-of-license insurance and death-in-service benefits.
• Health benefits: Pilots often receive private medical insurance for themselves and, in some cases, their families.
• Travel benefits: Many airlines offer staff travel, family travel discounts and discounted or free flights.
• Time off: Most pilots receive paid annual leave, along with public holidays and other leave benefits.
• Career rewards: Some airlines offer share schemes, promotion opportunities and training programmes to support long-term career growth.

What Factors Affect a Pilot’s Monthly Salary?

A pilot’s monthly salary depends on many things. Experience is one of the biggest factors. Senior pilots usually earn more than new pilots. The airline and aircraft type also matter. Pilots who fly large planes on long routes often get higher pay. 

More flight hours can also help increase earnings. The airport base and job contract can affect salary, too. Some new pilots may pay training costs from their salary. So, two pilots with the same licence can still earn different amounts.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a High Pilot Salary?

A high pilot salary takes time to reach. It needs proper training, flying hours, and experience. Most pilots start with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL). Then, they move on to a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and ATPL.

After getting their licences, pilots build up more flying hours. Many airlines need 2,500 to 3,500 hours before making someone a captain. Some pilots reach this stage in 3 to 5 years. Others may take 7 to 10 years. As pilots gain more skills and take on bigger roles, their salaries keep growing.

Is Becoming a Pilot Worth It Financially?

For many people, becoming a pilot is worth the investment. Training costs £60,000 to £130,000, so you need a big budget. However, pilot salaries grow as you gain experience. Many captains earn more than £150,000 a year. This helps cover the training cost over time.

The aviation industry also needs more skilled pilots. Many airlines offer great benefits, career growth and travel perks. If you enjoy flying and plan to stay in the job for years, a pilot career can offer excellent long-term rewards. It can be a smart financial choice.

Final Thoughts on Pilot Earnings

So, the answer to how much do pilots earn UK per month totally depends on experience, airline, aircraft type and job role. Pilot salaries range from around £2,000 to more than £16,000 per month. New pilots usually start with lower salaries, while experienced captains at major airlines earn the highest pay. In addition, flight pay, allowances, bonuses and other benefits can increase monthly earnings.

FAQs

1. Do pilots make 700k?

• Pilots make around 700k, but only a small number of senior airline captains at major global airlines can earn this amount of money.

2. How much do TUI pilots get paid in the UK?

• TUI pilots in the UK usually earn between £40,000 and £140,000 per year.

3. What pilots make $500,000 a year?

• Senior captains at some international airlines and private jet operators can earn $500,000 a year or more.

4. How much is a Ryanair pilot paid?

• Ryanair pilots usually earn about £38,000 to over £145,000 per year.

5. Is there a pilot shortage in the UK?

• Yes, the UK aviation industry continues to face a pilot shortage as travel demand and airline recruitment grow.

6. How much do Jet2 pilots get paid?

• Jet2 pilots generally earn around £45,000 to over £140,000 per year.

7. Which UK airline pays pilots the most?

• Major airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways usually offer some of the highest pilot salaries in the UK.

8. How much do Virgin pilots earn?

• Virgin Atlantic pilots typically earn about £55,000 to over £250,000 per year.