How much do starting commercial pilots make?

Question

How much do starting commercial pilots make?

Answer 1

The short answer is: NOT ENOUGH!  

Answer 2

Sometimes it's very hard to get them started, so whoever is doing it isn't getting paid enuff.

Answer 3

Usually not enough to live comfortably without a second job.

Starting regional airline pay is in the neighborhood of $18-22 per flight hour. There is no pay for other time spent working, only time spent flying. There sometimes is a per diem of about $1 per hour while out of town for extended periods of time. The company does pick up hotel rooms and transportation to and from the airport if none is provided.

Most regionals guarantee their pilots will fly between 500 and 900 hours a year.

So the lowest of the low, about $9,000 a year. The most any starting regional pilot stands to make is about $20,000, with a fortunate few maybe bringing home $23,000.

Some call it paying your dues. I call it paying your dues while trying to pay off student loans and still survive, otherwise known as next to impossible.    

Answer 4

The largest fractional starts at about $60k-65k. You'll need an ATP and at least 2500 hours to apply.  

Answer 5

neighborhood of $15k to $18k in the U.S.