How much are pilots paid?

How much do Commercial pilots get paid?

• Hi my name is oliver an i am 15 and thinking about becoming a commercial pilot for like thomascook and so on but not sure were to start and how much do pilot's get paid? thanks

• Answer:

  There's an old saying amongst pilots, 'You don't become a pilot to get rich'. Ie, the only reason to be a pilot is if you love flying, and little else. It IS possible to be well paid as a pilot, but a lot depends on timing and luck, as very few pilots actually make it in to the high paying positions. In the US right now, starting out at the bottom in a regional airline, you would make between $15,000 to $25,000 a year. (Depending on how much you fly.) For a regional you top the pay scale at around $80,000 a year, as a senior Captain with 15+ years of seniority. For a major carrier (United, American Airlines etc) you start at about $40,000 a year as a new hire, and top out at around $150,000 as a 30+ year Captain. Keep in mind that far from everyone will make it all the way to actually flying as a Captain in a major airline, so if I were in your shoes I would count on $100,000/year being achievable (In today's money), and that only after spending 20-30 years in the profession. Keep in mind that the numbers I have given are for US carriers, it will vary depending on what region in the world you fly in, and what company you fly for. If getting rich quick is your goal there are plenty of other professions that will lead you that way MUCH MUCH quicker.