How much does a beginner pilot at Southwest make?

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.



In 2026, a first-year First Officer (beginner pilot) at Southwest Airlines can expect to earn a starting salary of approximately $133,000 to $145,000. Following significant industry-wide pay raises in 2024 and 2025, pilot compensation at major U.S. carriers has reached historic highs. At Southwest, pilots are paid based on "Trip for Pay" (TFP) units, which roughly translate to flight hours. A new First Officer typically starts at a rate of around $145 per hour with a "guaranteed" minimum of 72 to 75 hours per month. Beyond the base salary, pilots receive a per diem for meals, 401(k) matching that can reach 15%, and profit-sharing bonuses. While the first year is the lowest-paid in a pilot's career, the "step-up" in year two is substantial; by year six, a Southwest First Officer's salary often jumps to over $230,000, making it one of the most lucrative "entry-level" professional roles in the modern American economy.

Excellent question. For a pilot at a major airline like Southwest, the term “beginner” is a bit of a misnomer. Unlike many careers, you don’t start at a major airline; you work your way up to it.

A pilot newly hired at Southwest Airlines is not a beginner in aviation. They are a highly experienced professional, typically with several thousand hours of flight time, who has finally reached one of the top destinations in the industry.

Here’s a breakdown of what a first-year First Officer (co-pilot) at Southwest can expect, based on the current contract (in effect through 2025):

Key Numbers for a Year 1 First Officer at Southwest (2024)

  • Hourly Rate: Approximately $92.00 per flight hour.
  • Typical Minimum Monthly Guarantee: 75 flight hours per month. This is the number of hours they are paid for, even if they fly less.
  • Estimated Annual Guaranteed Pay: $92.00/hr 75 hrs/month 12 months = $82,800.
  • Typical Annual Earnings (with flying more than the minimum): Most first-year pilots can expect to earn between $90,000 and $110,000 in their first year. This includes per diem (for expenses on the road) and may include overtime or picking up extra trips.

Crucial Context: The Path to Southwest

To understand that “beginner” salary, you must know the career ladder:

  1. Training & Certification ($50k - $100k+): The pilot pays for their Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Flight Instructor certificates. This is a significant investment.
  2. Time-Building Job (Year 1-3): After certification, pilots become Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) or take other low-paying jobs to build the 1,500 hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license. Pay: $30,000 - $50,000 per year.
  3. Regional Airline First Officer (Years 2-5): With an ATP, pilots are hired by regional airlines (like SkyWest, Endeavor, Republic) that feed into majors. Starting pay here has improved dramatically. First-year pay at a regional is now typically $90,000 - $110,000,

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