How much does a airline pilot make?

In the U.S., pay grows with experience and seniority, and each airline negotiates its own pay rules. International flights can bring extra pay, while time away from home earns an allowance; seniority can also affect routes and schedules.

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots. Excludes “Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians” (17-3024).

What's a typical day like?

Before takeoff, pilots check the plane, fuel, weather, and load, then review the route. In the cockpit they share flying, talk with air traffic control, watch instruments, handle takeoff and landing, and log the flight afterward.

U.S. pilots usually earn a bachelor’s degree, train for FAA certificates, and build flight hours as instructors or military pilots. They need an ATP certificate—usually at 23 with 1,500 hours—to join an airline, often as a first officer.

Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

In U.S. cockpits, tablets have replaced dozens of pounds of paper charts, though pilots still keep paper backups.

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.