How does Southwest pilot pay work?

Our Pilots are guaranteed a certain amount of Trips for Pay each month and are paid for each trip based on the number of years they have been with Southwest and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Pilots are also paid a per diem based on the amount of time they are away from base.



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Pilot pay at Southwest Airlines ranges from $53,352.00 per year for a new first officer up to $200,725.20 per year for a senior captain.

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The average hourly rate for Pilot in companies like Southwest Airlines range from $65 to $81 with the average hourly pay of $73.

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For instance, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

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For example, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Flight Duty Limitations
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) limit pilots to 36 flight hours in a week, 100 hours in 672 hours (28 days), and 1,000 hours in a 365-day calendar period.

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The Destination 225°® Cadet Pathway trains new or private pilots with the skills needed to become a Southwest Airlines® First Officer in as little as four years.

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The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute. Generally, if pilots need to travel and stay away from home when they are not on a trip, they are responsible for their own accommodations.

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When it comes to working as a Southwest Airlines pilot, you will see that the trips are mainly made up of 3-day trips. That means day one is when you show up at your base to fly, stay the night on a layover, fly all day the second day, have another layover, and then go home the third day.

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In the USA, the yearly average airline pilot salary (First Officer) in a major airline is $39,000-$119,000, while Captains in the same type of airline can make $70,000-$257,000. Alaskan Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and others are topping the list of the best-paying carriers in the country.

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Employees have free, unlimited travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines. Eligible dependents include spouse or committed/registered partner, eligible dependent children under 19 years old (or up to 24 if a full-time student), and parents.

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Traditionally a pilot at a regional airline might start out earning less than $50,000 per year, but get hired on by a major airline and that goes up quickly into the six figures, and well over $300,000 for senior captains flying widebody aircraft overseas. Some earn over $400,000.

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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.

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Southwest pilots are based at one of 11 domiciles: ATL (Atlanta, GA), BWI (Baltimore, MD), MDW (Chicago, IL), DAL (Dallas, TX), DEN (Denver, CO), HOU (Houston, TX), LAS (Las Vegas, NV), LAX (Las Angeles, CA), OAK (Oakland, CA), MCO (Orlando, FL), and PHX (Phoenix, AZ).

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Average Delta Air Lines Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $180,067, which is 171% above the national average. Salary information comes from 4 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

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Southwest Airlines Provides Excellent Benefits Southwest provides its employees with excellent benefits and compensation. They also consider the pilot's family life when scheduling them for flights. Those aspects of working for the airline make the job a lot more enjoyable.

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Can pilots make 200k? By flying larger jets, pilots are better compensated and with better work life balance. Pay: The range varies significantly based on seniority and aircraft but can be anywhere from $100-$200k within the first 5 years and can increase to upwards of $350k.

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