$8 F/O international override brings it down to 39/hr difference. International per diem instead of domestic per diem is not an insignificant difference either. But, the real money and where the difference is made, is when an international trip gets revised. 150% to 200% often happens, extra duty periods, landings, etc. Really adds up fast. I have had a revision that paid me over $20k extra and was home the same day I would have been on the original trip (because of the deadheads tacked on the end of the revision allowed me to return home ASAP and get paid for a few days more). Also, when you operate internationally, you tend to work solid blocks and have 10 days to 18 days off in a row. Then you see an x-pairing that pays 9 days and you're only gone from home for 3 days (deadheads on both ends) so you pick it up and each lots of extra coin for very little QOL pain. The last item where the long international trips pay more is BKO--block over 8 override. Many trips, especially RFO pairings have significant block over 8. The more senior lines may have an extra 8-11 % BKO over normal BLG and that's a significant bump towards equalizing the pay. Due to all this, pay density for days worked is generally more while flying international lines versus domestic lines.

I absolutely believe a senior 777 F/O and a slightly more senior MD-11 F/O can earn more than a 757 Captain who is just flying his line. Yes, the F/Os may have a couple more calendar days in their schedule, but I bet the number of days away from home is very similar between the 757 Captain and the wide body F/O. Plus, the company is much more civilized internationally. The hotels are generally very nice, catering is better, schedules less fatiguing than a week of hub turns (although you do have the circadian fatigue that can make it harder). This all being said, many people thrive on the international schedule with long legs and many can't stand it. Also, many domestic guys can get home town DHs and such.

What makes this job particularly nice, is you're only forced to be junior once. From then on, it's your choice what works best for you. There are so many different combinations of types of flying that almost everyone finds a niche where they park for awhile.