Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Pilot Lounge > Money Talk
Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US >

Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US

Notices
Money Talk Your hard-earned money

Airline Pilot: One of the Highest Paying Jobs in the US

Old 06-10-2006, 08:03 PM
  #11  
Self Employed.
 
SkyHigh's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Default More Money??

Originally Posted by Tin Can Captain
If you can find a job that doesn't feel like work, then you've got it made. Just remember the more money you make, the more you'll spend! I remember making $900 a month and thinking I was "rich"....

It's all relative.

I have heard that argument from wealthy airline captains only and it is a load of crap. Just because you guys can waste a fortune every year doesn't mean that it is relative. You would never hear such non scene from a firefighter or police officer or anyone else for that matter.

SkyHigh
SkyHigh is offline  
Old 06-25-2006, 09:50 PM
  #12  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Pilotpip's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
Default

There was just an article in the local paper some weeks ago about many of the local firefighers (not even whiteshirts) making upwards of $200,000 per year.

Man, I should have been a firerfighter.
Pilotpip is offline  
Old 06-25-2006, 11:06 PM
  #13  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: ATP Stuart, FL Bound
Posts: 75
Talking

I plan on being a billionaire! But damn if the pay at the bottom isn't ridiculously low.
SkyHawg is offline  
Old 06-26-2006, 04:59 AM
  #14  
Self Employed.
 
SkyHigh's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Default Firefighter

Originally Posted by Pilotpip
There was just an article in the local paper some weeks ago about many of the local firefighers (not even whiteshirts) making upwards of $200,000 per year.

Man, I should have been a firerfighter.

Get an EMT and start testing.

SkyHigh
SkyHigh is offline  
Old 06-26-2006, 06:59 AM
  #15  
Brav989
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally Posted by Pilotpip
There was just an article in the local paper some weeks ago about many of the local firefighers (not even whiteshirts) making upwards of $200,000 per year.

Man, I should have been a firerfighter.
Yea it's possible. Mainly based on overtime. In my area a Firefighter/paramedic tops out at around $75,000/yr on 48 hr work weeks. Police officers are around $64,000 on 40hr work weeks. Though there are generally a lot of OT opportunities and many officer's i've known have pulled in well over $100,000, some even $200,000. Can't speak much for firefighters though.
 
Old 06-26-2006, 02:02 PM
  #16  
Line Holder
 
AlyE's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Dreaming
Posts: 35
Default

Originally Posted by Golden Flyer
My conception is Piloting is the best job once can have. Who here in this forum would trade a 777 office to eventually work in a law office. Remember people, flying take time, its hard work, god damn I havent even been as far as most of you guys but I have friends and I know. The beauty of it is... "Once You Get To The Top, Your There". If you all weren't determined folks who have what it takes, you wouldn't have re-searched the net and found this site. That has alot to say. I have friends in law school as well. I also know people who have attended law school and didnt make it (hint hint). They figured it was too muich work, completeing a degree, then that whole law school situation, then going in and not being able to get up directly. Even lawyers try push for something better, they want to be a judge, well that takes time, not until your around 50. Pilots can push for more as well with the right mind-frame. A Thomson Cook 757 Capt. with experience and a good degree can eventually push for that exec position and make $500 K USD. annually!

"Determination Is Key! Although This Is Repetitive. Remember: You Can DO ANYTHING You Put Your Mind To"

P.S. Even take Bush's position. That'd Be sSOmething To Put YOur Mind To. Just A Thought!
I appreciate your post. Thanks for having such a positive attitude. It is nice to know that someone else out their has the same thoughts as me!
AlyE is offline  
Old 06-26-2006, 07:14 PM
  #17  
Self Employed.
 
SkyHigh's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Default Time

Originally Posted by Brav989
Yea it's possible. Mainly based on overtime. In my area a Firefighter/paramedic tops out at around $75,000/yr on 48 hr work weeks. Police officers are around $64,000 on 40hr work weeks. Though there are generally a lot of OT opportunities and many officer's i've known have pulled in well over $100,000, some even $200,000. Can't speak much for firefighters though.

It is important to remember that to a firefighter a 48 hour shift is literally two days. A pilot needs an average of four to legally match the same duty time and they do not get any pay for time away from home. It is much easier to take on over time as a firefighter.

SkyHigh
SkyHigh is offline  
Old 07-01-2006, 11:56 PM
  #18  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Pilotpip's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
Default

well, this story was also prompted by a big investigation by the state's attorney general on misappropriation of funds. These really high paying districts tended to have a number of firefighters on the board and often had closed-door meetings.

Firefighting is plan B for me. Already have a number of family members that do it and had I not gotten addicted to flying I would be a St. Louis City firefighter right now.
Pilotpip is offline  
Old 07-03-2006, 12:54 PM
  #19  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: 737/FO
Posts: 423
Default

The mean (not average) airline pilot salary reported from the Federal Government July 2004 salary survey was $113.82 /hr based on 20.9 hours per week. The 20.9 hours is just pay credit. Mean salary means half made more and half made less. This number does include "major" and "regional" airline pilots (surveyed FAA registered Part 121 carriers). It equates to about $119,000 annually, plus per diem, benefits, profit sharing, retirement, etc. The mean airline pilot surveyed had 11.6 years with a part 121 carrier.

There are approximately 92400 airline pilots in the US. About 65000 (71%) are employed by major airlines (legacy, LCC, Cargo) with 7400 on furlough. Approximately 20000 (22%) pilots are at what we would consider regional carriers. 4000 (4%) pilots are at fractionals and about 3000 (3%) pilots make up the misc group (charter, small large-aircraft cargo, etc). According to the FAA pilot database as of this month 79611 pilots hold a ATP certificate with a 1st class medical (minimum for holding the left seat at a part 121 carrier). Another 24537 pilots hold a comm/me/inst with a 1st class medical for a combined total of 104198 pilots. This total would also include an unknown number of private corporate pilots, general aviation pilots, etc. This total has been flat to down trending slightly for several years, even though airlines continue to take aircraft deliveries. New student starts are off sharply with the withdrawal of financing sources for flight training from the industry in the past year.

Bottom line. 81% (89% if you include major airline furloughees) of pilots with the proper certificates hold airline pilot jobs. This number is climbing. Historically when you reach about 90% employment rates, hiring gets much more difficult for companies. Those pilots available for hiring have much less experience (or too much experience) and/or minor background problems. We are seeing this now at the regional level and beginning to see it at the majors. Regionally hiring is getting very active for candidates with less than 1000 hours total time. Candidates are getting two and three offers. Regional airlines are finding their "show rates" for new hire classes dropping to 60% - 70%. Hiring majors are running their pools dry. SWA is now hiring pilots this month and putting pilots in class next month. UPS is negotiating a pay raise with their pilots.

This type of activity has occurred several times in the past 40 years, most recently in the late 1990's. One of the biggest changes this time however is the emergence of the higher paid regional jet captain. In the past regionals always provided a pilot pool for majors. However, there is a large group of regional jet pilots (about 6000 captains) that are earning salaries approaching $80,000 - $100,000/yr or more. This group as a whole is less interested in moving to a major. They don't or can't take the cut pay to first year pay, they don't want to give up their seniority or face the chance of furlough, and many have QOL that is similar or the same as flying the line at a major. And as pensions are eliminated, the last reason to move is evaporating. There will be fewer pilots available for major airlines to hire.

The only thing that will increase airline pilot salaries is a lower supply of pilots vs the number of aircraft in the fleet. This appears to be happening. And compared to other careers, yes, it is still one of the highest paying and most stable out there. Are there drawbacks? Sure. But I know of no career that doesn't have it's risks.

Last edited by WEACLRS; 07-03-2006 at 03:22 PM.
WEACLRS is offline  
Old 07-03-2006, 01:09 PM
  #20  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: BE-99 Captain
Posts: 37
Default

It's nice to hear positive talk on occasion on this site.
PDXflyer is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mike734
Alaska
42
01-12-2022 12:10 AM
Herc130AV8R
Military
25
03-22-2008 05:22 PM
HSLD
Hiring News
2
11-14-2006 04:32 PM
toeman9
Flight Schools and Training
5
07-12-2006 05:31 AM
HSLD
Flight Schools and Training
2
05-14-2006 09:07 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices