How Much Travel Does A Commercial Pilot Make?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

(e) No pilot may fly as a member of a crew more than 100 hours during any one calendar month. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for airline pilots was $160,970 in May 2020. Similarly, the median annual wage for commercial pilots was

$93,300 in May 2020

.

How many trips does a pilot make?


Long-haul pilots may make only a single flight in a day while regional pilots may take off and land eight or more times

. Helicopter pilots may make more than 20 takeoffs and landings in a day. There really is not a typical day because of the 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year nature of aviation.

How many hours can a commercial pilot fly per day?

Normal duty (1) Minimum Rest Immediately Before Duty 10 Hours (2) Duty Period Up to 14 Hours (3) Flight Time For 1 Pilot

Up to 8 Hours
(4) Flight Time For 2 Pilots Up to 10 Hours

How many miles do commercial pilots fly?

Commercial aircraft typically fly between 31,000 and 38,000 feet — about

5.9 to 7.2 miles

— high and usually reach their cruising altitudes in the first 10 minutes of a flight, according to Beckman. Planes can fly much higher than this altitude, but that can present safety issues.

Do pilots make good money?

As a result,

commercial pilots are paid well

. According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $93,300 per year, which was the the median annual wage in May 2020. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $160,970.

How long do pilots work a day?

Many pilots work an average duty day of

13 hours

. The maximum duty day for a pilot can’t exceed 16 hours according to the FAA’s current rules. The duty time is the time a pilot is on the job and available to fly. The typical day of an airline pilot will usually start the night before.

Do pilots get paid when not flying?

What if an airline does not have enough flying for a pilot? Fortunately,

most pilot employment contracts and CBAs include a monthly hour minimum

. This minimum requires the company to pay its pilots for a minimum number of flight hours, regardless of whether those hours are flown.

Do pilots work 40 hours a week?


Pilots have a maximum time on duty in a week which will be 47.5 hours

, and the maximum working day for the average pilot is often around 15 hours a day, however, this can vary depending on the airline.

How often do pilots go home?

For short haul pilots,

most will either go home daily if possible or they’ll work for 5 days and then spend 3 days or 4 days at home

. Long haul pilots spend more time away from home but get around 10 to 15 off days per month to go home.

What is pilot retirement age?

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), commercial pilots have to retire at

age 65

. There is currently no maximum age limit for being a private pilot or for being an Air Force pilot.

Do pilots go home every night?

Do pilots go home every night?

Flight instructors and pilots who fly short-haul domestic flights are able to be home every night more or less

; however, airline pilots who fly longer routes are unable to go home every night and can be away from home for up to two weeks at a time.

How many flights do pilots do a year?

Extrapolate that to a year, and you have

900 flight hours

, 1800 duty hours and 3600 hours away from home. I would say this represents the average US domestic 121 pilot. Some do more, some do less, but this is pretty typical. What do we do with all of that duty time that isn’t flying?

Is it hard to get a job as a pilot?

Being a commercial pilot is

a demanding and challenging job

but can also be a very rewarding career. There are many opportunities for travel and work-related fulfillment, as well as the chance to earn a sizable income.

How much do first year commercial pilots make?

But in general, newly trained, inexperienced pilots might make

between $30,000 and $50,000 per year

, while an experienced pilot who has climbed his way up from first officer at a regional airline to first officer at a major airline and then finally, a captain at a major airline over a period of 10 years will probably …

Is it worth becoming a pilot in 2021?


Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students

. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

What is the highest paid pilot?


Jet blue Airways

:

It pays its first officer pilots about $89,000 within the first years of service. Within 12 years of the pilot’s work, he earns $180,000. The captains are the highest paid airline pilots and they earn from $234,000 to $269,000.

Which pilot makes most money?

Airline Average Pilot Salary China Southern Airlines $228,000 Southwest Airlines $221,636 United Airlines $205,164 Delta Airlines $192,336

How many hours a week do pilots work?

With this data in mind, the average airline and commercial pilot works 2,700 hours per year (225 hours x 12 months). If we then divide this value by 52 (the number of weeks per year), we see that pilots work an average of

52 hours per week

.

What is the longest flight in the world?

What is the longest flight in the world by distance? The longest flight in the world by distance is QR921.

Qatar Airlines’ Auckland to Doha route

comes in at 14,535 km/9,032 mi/7,848 nm.

Do pilots get holiday pay?


Pilots would receive 150% pay for all flights over peak holiday dates

. Pilots who pick up trips during the period would receive 200% pay.

How many years does it take to be a pilot?

Even if you are presently only looking to become a private pilot, getting a complete education will prepare you best. Ideally, becoming a pilot should only take

3 to 4 years

, the time it takes to get your Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight.

How much do pilots earn per month?

A person working as a Pilot in South Africa typically earns around

57,700 ZAR per month

. Salaries range from 28,300 ZAR (lowest) to 90,000 ZAR (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Pilot salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location.

How much does a 777 pilot earn?

The top pay for a Delta Airlines Captain is approximately $205,000, but those flying a Boeing 777 can potentially earn

$298,500 per year plus bonuses, or as much as $350,000 in one year

.

Are pilots paid hourly?

Pilots don’t earn a flat annual salary like some professions. Instead,

they’re paid an hourly wage for each flight hour flown, along with per diem

. Most airlines guarantee a minimum number of hours per month, so that pilots can count on at least a minimum amount of monthly income.

Can a pilot sleep while flying?

The simple answer is

yes, pilots do and are allowed to sleep during flight

but there are strict rules controlling this practice. Pilots would only normally sleep on long haul flights, although sleep on short haul flights is permitted to avoid the effects of fatigue.

Do pilots have time for family?

Originally Answered: Do pilots get to spend time with their family?

Yes. Often more time than in a typical job, but it really depends on the employer

.

What is the life of a pilot like?

Pilots

operate in a 24-hour, 7 days a week, 365 days per year environment

. They often set out to work as most people are heading home for the day or getting ready to sleep.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.