{"id":3489,"date":"2026-09-21T23:37:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T21:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.asteraviation.it\/blog\/how-much-does-an-airline-pilot-earn-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-10-26T14:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T13:18:35","slug":"how-much-does-an-airline-pilot-earn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asteraviation.it\/en\/blog\/how-much-does-an-airline-pilot-earn\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does an airline pilot earn in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are considering a career as a pilot, one of the key things to know is, without a doubt, how much an airline pilot earns<\/strong>. In Italy, the average salary for an airline pilot<\/strong> can vary, depending on several factors<\/strong> such as years of experience and the specific airline.<\/p>\n

In general, one can earn a monthly net salary ranging from approximately 1,900 to over 12,000 euros<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Understanding how much an airline pilot earns therefore also means looking at how their career can evolve <\/strong>from their initial position as a first officer to the role of captain.<\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Find out how to become an airline pilot<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBegin your journey<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

 <\/p>\n

What determines an airline pilot’s salary<\/h2>\n

To determine an airline pilot’s salary, several variables must be taken into account<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • length of service and flight experience;<\/li>\n
  • airline;<\/li>\n
  • type of routes (domestic, European, or intercontinental);<\/li>\n
  • country in which one works;<\/li>\n
  • role in the cockpit (first officer or captain);<\/li>\n
  • type of aircraft;<\/li>\n
  • fixed\/variable component linked to flight hours and per diems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    In Italy, a newly qualified airline first officer can start at around \u20ac1,700 net<\/strong>, while pilots employed by international airlines or flying intercontinental routes can earn upwards of \u20ac6,000\u2013\u20ac7,000 net<\/strong> per month, thanks in part to flight allowances and long-haul route pay.<\/p>\n

    How much of a difference is there in salary between a first officer and a captain?<\/h3>\n

    A captain earns significantly more than a first officer, with pay differentials that can reach as much as 50\u201380% more by the end of their career<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Navigating the landscape of airline pilot salaries can be complex. The sector ranges from pay-to-fly<\/em> arrangements\u2014where pilots themselves pay to gain specific experience in the form of flight hours\u2014to compensation levels that, in exceptional cases, can reach half a million per year.<\/p>\n

    To understand these differences, one must consider, in combination, the type of carrier<\/strong>, the type of contract<\/strong>, and the seniority<\/strong> the pilot has accrued within the airline.<\/p>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t