Originally Posted by
Lab Rat
The difference depends on two variables: the financial health of the company and how well their contract (if they are union) is negotiated. Every worker in every industry is paid not what they are worth, but what they negotiate. Self-worth is subjective.
In the free market people compete to do the job by deciding how much it is worth to them. Pilots are obsession driven people who love their jobs. Much of their compensation comes in the form of job satisfaction. Once union influence and tradition is completely gone 737 captains nationally will earn between 60 and 80K.
Eventually everyone will have to adjust their wages to match the lowest common denominator.
Skyhigh