Knowing pilot salary statistics can help with negotiating processes. Because there are so many variables, such as years of experience, type of aircraft flown or even the type of employer, doing your research can help you make the most money.

In today's market, it's essential to know what works and what doesn't when investigating pilot salary information. There are many resources available as long as you know where to look. Consider the following when investigating pilot salary news and trends:

1. Subscribe to airline magazines to keep up with pilot salary information.

2. Look to online forums or blogs that discuss pilot salary statistics.

3. Become a member of a pilot's union or association to network with others and discuss pilot salary history.

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Browse through airline-industry magazines for pilot salary information

Online airline newsletters are one of the best sources for staying on top of pilot salary news and trends. These sources are normally updated often and are a key source of information about the issues affecting airline salaries. You might be able to receive the newsletters directly in your e-mail inbox, thus negating the step of searching for the information yourself.

I recommend: Check out Plane & Pilot from Werner Publishing, which is geared toward elite planes and high adventure. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association features an informative website in addition to its offers of a magazine subscription and newsletter for members.

Search through reputable websites for pilot salary news

Websites can be an informative location for news about airline salaries. But you need to be careful and do your research when perusing the sites; only use reputable sites when wading through all the statistics. Don't be afraid to post in forums if you cannot find the pilot salary news you desire.

I recommend: R.W. Mann & Company offers current airline industry analysis and consulting. Browse the website to search for salary statistics or consult the company directly for more information. Look to Flightlevel350.com and its forums where you can search for up-to-date information posted by people such as yourself.

Attend conferences or seminars where speakers discuss pilot salary and benefit information

Usually hosted by associations or organizations, these seminars can be a place to network as well as learn new information regarding salaries and benefits. Talk to other guests at the conference and compare notes; attend several of these meetings to keep abreast of changes in the industry.

I recommend: The Air Line Pilots Association, International hosts several conferences annually. Check its events calendar to know what type of seminars interest you. The American Pilots' Association hosts a biennial convention. Look to the site to learn more information about how you can attend.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join local networking sites to know what pilot salary trends are taking shape in your local area. You can also check with Facebook or MySpace to look for others who share your common interests.

Think pilot salary and big images come to mind — big planes, big airlines, big money. This problem with this image is that it doesn't take into account the big picture. Career opportunities, and their respective salaries, vary. When searching for pilot salary information, it is clear that the salary range depends on the pilot salary provider, experience and level of seniority with an organization, among other things.

A pilot salary list is not complete without researching the various methods pilot salary information is categorized. Interested researchers will find pilot salary information listed according to airplane type, airline company and even airline type. When researching pilot salary information, consider searching according to three major categories:

1. Pilot salary ranges according to rank and commercial aircraft;

2. Pilot salaries according to commercial airline pilot salary provider;

3. Pilot salary information according to other piloting employment opportunities.

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Search for pilot salary ranges according to seniority rank and commercial aircraft

The salary range for commercial airline pilots rises steadily based on the number of years of experience. Once 20+ years of experience is reached, however, the salary range begins to plummet as a result of retirement requirements for commercial airline pilots in the U.S.

I recommend: PayScale's website lists median salaries of commercial pilots according to years of experience. The Motley Fool shows hourly salary ranges based on rank and on the different planes flown. Although the hourly rates are sure to have changed, one factor has not. Seniority almost doubles one's earning potential regardless of what size commercial aircraft is flown.

Search for information according to airline pilot salary provider

Airline salaries vary from airline to airline. Some of the major airlines pay slightly more than their rivals, as is the case with regional airlines. It is interesting to point out that, in a 2007 study, FedEx paid its employees the most, although it must also be noted that FedEx pilots shared company with only one other airline in terms of the most hours flown monthly.

I recommend: Jet-Jobs' website lists monthly salary figures of U.S. airlines. Will Fly for Food Professional Pilot Resources has a pilot salary directory that lets you search for pay rates according to national and international airlines.

Search for pilot salary information according to other piloting employment opportunities

Pilot career opportunities exist with much more than major commercial airlines. Pilots can make a career flying corporate jets, air traffic aircraft and prototype planes to ensure they are in compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Pilots can even pursue careers as flight instructors or helicopter pilots.

I recommend: ALLSTAR Network's website, using data provided by the Airline Employment Assistance Corps (AEAC), includes different types of pilot jobs along with their educational requirements. Avjobs lists information about salary ranges for all different aircraft types.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Retirement benefits vary from company to company. Some commercial airlines offer defined benefit plans, often referred to as 'A Plans,' which operate sort of like traditional pension plans. Others offer defined contribution plans, often referred to as 'B Plans,' which are similar to 401K plans offered in other industries. These benefits ultimately translate to cash in your hand and should be included when calculating pilot salary information and carefully weighed when considering any airline pilot position.

Pilot salary advice and ratings can help pilots make informed decisions regarding employment. Many factors influence pilot salary including seniority, rank, and employer. First year salaries range from $25,000 to over $50,000 annually. The average pilot earns around $100,00 per year, but pilots with years of experience can procure up to $300,00 per year.

Pilot salary can be determined by aircraft type rating, state and city, company size, school name, and years of experience. Industry and gender can also impact earnings. Considering that pilot education is expensive and job security can be unstable, a well-paid salary is of high importance. Take into account the following when reviewing salary options.

1. Obtain basic pilot salary advice and ratings.

2. Learn how many factors affect pilot salary.

3. Contrast the salary offered to the commitment required from the prospective employer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review basic information regarding pilot salary advice and ratings

You will find a vast amount of information about pilot salary and employment. There are also websites that offer information about the industry and the job itself that are helpful.

I recommend: Geocities.com answers a broad range of questions regarding pilot education, lifestyle and salary. Pilot pay is given by rank, region and airline. Avjobs gives a minimum, average and maximum pilot salary range. They also give information on each type of aviation job including training, salaries and employers.

Compare pilot salary based on factors such as rank, industry and employer

Many components affect pilot salary. Your education, training, airline employer, state and industry all play a part in determining your pay rate. Be sure to fully appraise all of the factors that will decide your individual salary.

I recommend: PayScale gives you an array of comprehensive information regarding education, career and salary. You can access median salary charts by experience, aircraft type rating, education and more. Will Fly for Food has pilot pay rate information available by airline. They also have discussion forums on various topics.

Compare the pilot salary offered to your training and employer requirements

Once you have reviewed and gained advice about various salaries weigh your options. Consider your training, schedule, lifestyle and experience. Before you commit interest to a particular position gain some inside information.

I recommend: Airline Pilot Central gives you helpful information about numerous airlines. You can view pay scales, hiring information and they also offer a pay calculator. Access the many forums as well for information from other pilots. Jetcareers.com was developed by a pilot who saw a need for a source of "behind the scenes" information from professional pilots to future and new pilots. Jetcareers.com also offers forums and many expert tools and advice for pilots.

Pilots' salaries are affected by a number of factors including rank, employer, seniority, domicile and schedule. The glamorization of a pilot's career leads to many misconceptions about a pilot's lifestyle and salary. The majority of pilots are 41 to 50 years old and make $70,000 to $182,000 a year. A very slim minority of airline captains with major commercial airlines work less than two weeks a month and make $250K plus a year. Most pilots work an average of 75 hours of month and are away from home a great deal.

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Captain salary

In commercial aviation, a pilot in command of an aircraft is often referred to as the captain. Captains make the highest salaries in the airline industry and receive top benefits. Before becoming a captain, pilots must advance in rank and pass written, physical and practical tests. The rank of captain is the ultimate goal of many pilots due to the benefits, seniority and high salary grade.

I recommend: Cleared To Dream contrasts and compares a captain's salary to that of a First Officer's and Second Officer's or Flight Engineer.

Line schedule

A pilot will advance to work on the 'line' after they have served as a reserve pilot. Airlines publish various 'lines' that pilots can bid on. Each line has a different schedule. Seniority and rank play a huge part in the type of 'line' a pilot receives each month. The 'line' given can also affect pay. The more hours a pilot works each month increases earnings. A senior pilot can bid for, and usually receives, a better schedule than a junior pilot.

I recommend: Geocities.com answers frequently asked questions regarding the career and training of an airline pilot. Salary is covered as well as line schedules and the effect they have on a pilot's earnings. Scroll down to Pilot Pay.

Additional pay

Additional Pay or add pay is flight time pay for work a pilot performs above the minimum monthly guarantee. Add pay includes lost days off, extra voluntary flying time and paid vacation time.

I recommend: AirlinePilotMentor.com breaks down airline pilot pay. The three factors that influence a pilot's salary, minimum monthly guarantee, per diem and additional pay are covered.

Duty rigs and trip rigs

A duty rig is the pay a pilot receives based on the amount of time spent on duty. As an example, if an airline has a 1:2 duty rig, this secures the pilot pay for no less than one hour of flight time and pay for each and every two hours of duty. Trip rigs are pay based on a pilot's time away from base.

I recommend: Airline Pilot Central explains duty and trip rigs.

Per diem pay

Per diem pay is one of the three main components that decide a pilot's salary. Per diem pay is pay for charges incurred while a pilot is traveling. It is an hourly rate that covers costs obtained in between the time a pilot reports for duty until the pilot ends work about 15 minutes after the last flight. Per diem pay covers items such as food and toiletries.

I recommend: EZPERDIEM ARTICLES explains airline pilot per diem pay and how it affects salary and tax deductions for pilots.

Minimum monthly guarantee

MMG is also one of the three major factors that determine a pilot's salary. A minimum monthly guarantee is the hourly pay based on the agreed upon rate that a pilot is ensured to receive each month, provided the pilot is available to fly the entire month.

I recommend: Air Net Systems gives an overview of a pilot's monthly and annual salary with a graph and notes illustrating and explaining how a minimum monthly guarantee factors into a pilot's earnings.