Country-specific data shows further variation:
- In the United Kingdom, Euronews reports an average gross salary of €90,253 for airline pilots; this rises to about €115,562 in Greater London. The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) median pay for “aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers” is roughly £80,414 (€95,240) as of April 2024.
- Germany’s Federal Statistical Office reports an average monthly salary of €12,566 (€150,792 annually) for aircraft pilots excluding special payments; the median is about €10,207 per month (€122,484 annually). Highly complex roles can see median annual pay reach up to €342,072 at major carriers such as Lufthansa.
- In France according to INSEE (the national statistics office), technical aviation roles have a monthly pay near €9,300 (about €111,600 yearly). ERI’s survey places the average pilot salary at about €87,903 with experienced pilots earning up to approximately €109,292.
- Spain’s estimated average is around €77,269 while Italy stands at about €80,427 according to ERI data; entry-level salaries start at around €57 000 based on information from La Repubblica.
- Lower-wage markets include Poland and the Czech Republic where averages are close to €50 000; Romania sits at just over €32 299 though seasoned Romanian pilots may approach earnings of ~€40 000.
Globally comparing pilot compensation reveals that European salaries often lag behind those found elsewhere:
- In North America—particularly the United States—the US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the median annual wage for airline pilots is roughly $238 000 (about €220 000), with senior captains at major airlines exceeding $350 000 (€325 000).
- Middle Eastern flag carriers like Emirates or Qatar Airways offer tax-free packages reaching $200 000–$300 000 (€185 000–€280 000) plus additional benefits such as housing allowances.
- In Asia-Pacific regions such as China or Japan captain salaries vary widely but can be similar or higher than Western European levels depending on employer and contract terms.
Within Europe itself there remains a marked difference between Western/Northern countries—where captain salaries usually fall within the range of about €80 000–€150 000—and Eastern/Southern countries where they are typically lower due both to local wage scales and market size.
Several factors complicate direct comparison:
- All reported figures are gross before taxes or deductions; high tax rates in many European nations mean net take-home pay can be significantly less.
- Many contracts include extra components such as duty allowances or overtime not always reflected in headline numbers.
- Cost-of-living differences mean equivalent gross pay does not translate equally across different locations.
Aspiring or current European pilots should verify offers against these averages and consider moving between airlines or countries if conditions allow. Career progression—especially promotions from first officer to captain—remains one key path toward higher earnings. Given ongoing shortages of qualified flight crew throughout Europe it is expected that upward pressure on wages will persist over coming years.
"Please note that to become an airline pilot for an EU-based company you need to be a European Union citizen!"
"Check the numbers. If someone promises you '€300 000 as a starting captain in Europe (widebody),' compare skeptically to the survey averages (e.g., €113 672 top in Switzerland,
€106 000 in Germany) and ask whether bonuses/per diem are included."
"Think strategically about geography and the airline model. A captain post at a major Western European airline with long-haul routes may be more profitable than staying
in a lower-wage country even with a less senior rank."
"Plan for progression and 'milestone breaks.' Your biggest pay jumps will likely come at major rank changes (first officer → captain) and route changes (regional → international long-haul). Know where your current step lies
and how many years you need to cross
to the next band."
"Know your contract details. For any offer examine
the number of guaranteed hours overtime pay allowance or per diem policies roster changes
and applicable tax regimes."
"Expect upward pressure. As the pilot shortage in Europe persists airlines
and unions are engaging
in more intense negotiations.
Many pilots expect 5–10 % annual upward movement
in adequate compensation (base + extras)
in many markets over the next 3–5 years."
"Stay flexible
and mobile."
"Sometimes moving
to another airline
or country is your fastest path
to better compensation (assuming licensing regulatory,
and personal constraints permit).
Being open
to relocation can magnify earnings potential."
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