Pilot salaries in the UK are among the highest of any profession — but they vary enormously depending on the airline, aircraft type, and seniority. Here is what commercial pilots actually earn in the UK, from first officer to captain.
UK pilot salary by experience level
| Level | Typical salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet / newly qualified | £24,000 – £40,000 | Often on lower pay while building hours |
| First Officer (junior) | £40,000 – £65,000 | Varies significantly by airline |
| First Officer (senior) | £65,000 – £90,000 | With several years experience |
| Captain (narrow-body) | £90,000 – £130,000 | Short haul, Boeing 737 / Airbus A320 |
| Captain (wide-body) | £120,000 – £180,000 | Long haul, Boeing 787 / Airbus A350 |
Pilot salary by airline in the UK
The airline you work for has a significant impact on your earnings. Legacy carriers like British Airways pay considerably more than low-cost carriers, particularly at captain level.
| Airline | First Officer range | Captain range |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | £55,000 – £90,000 | £120,000 – £180,000 |
| Virgin Atlantic | £50,000 – £85,000 | £110,000 – £160,000 |
| easyJet | £45,000 – £75,000 | £92,000 – £140,000 |
| Jet2 | £42,000 – £68,000 | £85,000 – £130,000 |
| Ryanair (UK base) | £38,000 – £65,000 | £80,000 – £120,000 |
| TUI Airways | £40,000 – £70,000 | £85,000 – £125,000 |
British Airways pilot salary
British Airways is widely regarded as the best-paying UK airline for pilots. A newly joined First Officer at BA typically starts at around £55,000 to £65,000 depending on aircraft type and base. Senior First Officers progress to £80,000 to £90,000 before upgrading to captain. BA captains flying wide-body aircraft on long haul routes — the Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 — can earn £150,000 to £180,000 per year including allowances.
How much does pilot training cost in the UK?
The significant caveat to these salaries is the cost of training. Integrated pilot training programmes in the UK typically cost £80,000 to £130,000. Most pilots fund this themselves — either through savings, family support, or commercial loans. The return on investment is substantial over a career but the initial debt burden is significant and the path to the higher salary levels takes many years.
The earnings trajectory: Pilot salaries front-load the cost and back-load the reward. The first five to seven years of a commercial pilot career are often spent on relatively modest salaries while building hours and experience. The earnings curve accelerates sharply at captain upgrade, which typically requires 3,000 to 5,000 flying hours.
How does a pilot salary compare to the UK median?
Even at first officer level, UK pilot salaries sit well above the national median of approximately £39,900. A mid-career first officer earning £70,000 is in the top 25% of UK earners. At captain level, pilots are firmly in the top 5 to 10% of UK earners — among the highest-paid professionals in the country outside financial services and medicine.
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