How Much Do Pilots Earn in the UK: Get to Know With Us!
Although becoming a pilot is the dream of many young children, only a few choose this career path. This job is associated with the responsibility that the pilot assumes for himself and all passengers. Long hours of practice and learning theories are the only way to achieve your childhood dream. In this article, we will tell you what earnings a professional pilot can expect in the UK.
Table of Contents
What is the Average Airline Pilot’s Salary?
A pilot’s earnings depend on many factors. The more experienced a pilot is, the more he can earn in a year, of course. In this case, when we talk about experience, we do not really mean years in the profession, but hours spent in the air. They say practice makes perfect, and this is certainly true for all pilots.
Another factor in your payout is the airline you work for. The well-known British Airways, for example, offers pilots higher salaries than smaller companies, but they have to go through a more restrictive recruitment process. Experts predict that in the future the demand for airline pilots will increase due to the low interest in the profession. This will certainly make it easier to recruit future candidates, but it should be remembered that airlines prefer not to hire anyone rather than hire the wrong candidate.
The type of aircraft being piloted is also important. From light aircraft to commercial airliners to private jets. As a general rule, the more expensive the plane, the higher the earnings of the airline pilot.
We already know what factors affect the amount of the payout. So what is the average salary for pilots in the UK?
£38,633 per year according to Indeed
Working Hours
Pilots’ working hours are definitely irregular. They depend on the number of flights within a month. Some flights last 3 hours, others more than a dozen. The organisation of work depends on the airlines you work for, but flight schedules are usually made well in advance. So you can somehow balance work and private life, but be prepared to start work late in the evening on one day and early in the morning on another.
Spending the night away from home belongs to this position. After arriving at their destination, employees often spend the night in another city or country in order to take the wheel of the aircraft again and return home after a sufficiently long break. Most employers provide accommodation and meals in such cases. Pilots spend an average of 75 hours per month in the air and 150 hours on other duties.
Comparison of Wages
As mentioned earlier, one of the most important determinants of payout is experience. Now we will compare the 3 commercial pilots’ salaries in different positions based on their work experience.
- Starting pilot
As a Junior First Officer, you can expect to earn an attractive salary, starting from £24,000 per annum on small airlines. It is worth noting that the Junior First Officer is a pilot who has not yet fully completed his training. You can recognise him by the 2 stripes on the pilot’s uniform.
- First Officer and Senior First Officer
After you have completed sufficient training and spent enough flying hours, you can be promoted to First Officer and Senior First Officer. At this point, you are already a deputy captain. There are already three stripes on your uniform instead of two.
The average salary of a First Officer in the UK is £48,605 and of a Senior First Officer £58,204. These amounts are for pilots working for British Airways and are double that of the Junior First Officer.
- Captain
If you have already gained enough experience as a Senior First Officer, you can apply for the position of captain. You will recognise him by the 4 stripes on his uniform and this is the most responsible position among those listed and all others must obey his directives. Data from PayScale shows that the average salary of a captain in the UK is £103,525 per year, but on the biggest airlines they can earn up to over £150,000
As you can see, pilots can expect a really good salary, many times higher than the national average, but this is paid for with long hours of practice and gaining experience. Also, not everyone can become a captain, as this position comes with a lot of responsibility.
We hope we’ve answered all your questions about the pilot’s earnings. To get more information about specific employers, visit Gowork.uk and dispel all doubts!
