Airline Pilot Salary and Take-Home Pay
The typical (median) airline pilot in the US earns $232,140 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 103,560 jobs (May 2025, occupation: airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers). The middle half earn between $182,280 and $384,440 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $463,830.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $168,793 a year ($14,066 a month) in a state with no income tax.
Airline Pilot pay range
| Pay level | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $106,710 | $83,900 |
| 25th percentile | $182,280 | $135,854 |
| Median (half earn more) | $232,140 | $168,793 |
| 75th percentile | $384,440 | $257,342 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $463,830 | $302,872 |
The average (mean) is $288,650 a year, above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 53-2011. Source
Airline Pilot salary by state
BLS state estimates for airline pilots vary too widely to be useful here (several states show medians above $400,000, because pay is concentrated at a few airline bases), so this page shows national figures only. Use the calculator for take-home pay in your state.
Overtime and pay rules for airline pilots
Airline employees are exempt from federal overtime rules; pay is set by employer policy or a union contract, so there is generally no federally required overtime to deduct. Source BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, as it does for jobs that are usually not paid by the hour or not worked full time all year.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on an airline pilot's pay
On the median $232,140, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 27.3% of pay for a single filer: $45,589 of income tax and $17,759 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $216,040, so the top federal rate is 32%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 34.35% before state tax: 32% income tax plus 2.35% Medicare (pay above the $184,500 Social Security wage base has no Social Security tax; Additional Medicare applies above $200,000). Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($11,607 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $3,714, so it costs about $7,893 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed airline pilots are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | $281,870 | $135.51 |
| Family Doctor | $244,180 | $117.39 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $236,590 | $113.75 |
| Dentist | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | $71.19 |
Airline Pilot salary questions
How much does an airline pilot make?
The median pay is $232,140 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $106,710 and the top 10% more than $463,830.
How much does an airline pilot make after taxes?
About $168,793 a year, or $6,492 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax.
How much does an airline pilot make a month?
About $19,345 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $14,066 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Do airline pilots get paid overtime?
Airline employees are exempt from federal overtime rules; pay is set by employer policy or a union contract, so there is generally no federally required overtime to deduct. BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, as it does for jobs that are usually not paid by the hour or not worked full time all year.
More public safety and aviation salaries
Air Traffic Controller · Police Officer · Flight Attendant · Firefighter · Correctional Officer
All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.