The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) classify operators based on aircraft size and mission type. The highest class—705 operators—includes major airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines. Salaries vary significantly depending on operator class and job title. Airline captains can earn up to $250,000 CAD annually according to Flight Trainers Canada, while cargo captains may reach about $205,000 at the high end. Entry-level pay is much lower at approximately $25-30 per hour or $40,000 per year.
Flight Trainers Canada reports the following average pay ranges by operator class:
- 705 (National Airlines): $40,000-$250,000
- 704 (Regional Airlines): $40,000-$95,000
- 703 (Air Taxi): $40,000-$70,000
- 702 (Specialized): $40,000-$55,000
Factors influencing pilot pay include licensing level, type ratings held for specific aircraft models, and overall experience. In comparison with other regions such as Asia-Pacific—where salaries are about half those in the U.S.—Canadian pilots continue to see unions advocating for improved wages and benefits.
The highest-paying positions are typically senior passenger jet captains at national airlines. Achieving this role requires many years of service and significant expertise. According to data from the Government of Canada's Job Bank database (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/25204/ca), commercial pilots’ hourly rates range from a low of $23 per hour to a high of $100 per hour across all operator classes.
Major carriers like Air Canada operate various aircraft under the 705 classification—from Boeing 737 MAX jets to Airbus A380s—while regional jets such as Embraer E175s also fall into this group due to their capacity exceeding 20 passengers. The demand for pilots in this category remains strong as air travel recovers post-pandemic.
Regional airlines operating under CAR 704 use smaller planes carrying fewer than 20 passengers; examples include North-Wright Air serving remote communities in the Northwest Territories with Beechcraft 1900s and DeHavilland Twin Otters.
Air taxi services classified under CAR 703 employ more than one hundred companies nationwide offering charter flights using aircraft like the Beechcraft King Air or Pilatus PC-12. These jobs offer valuable experience but generally lower pay compared with larger carriers.
Specialized operators under CAR 702 perform tasks such as aerial surveying or firefighting using small planes or helicopters; these roles are often filled by entry-level pilots or experienced crew seeking unique missions.
For new pilots entering the workforce after flight school graduation—often starting as instructors or flying banner-towing missions—the path toward higher earnings involves gaining hours and advancing through operator classes. Regional service with turboprops like ATRs or Embraer E175s is a common stepping stone toward mainline airline roles.
Planning a career path involves understanding fleet compositions: Air Canada operates similar numbers of A320 and Boeing 737 family jets (47 each), WestJet maintains around 150 Boeing 737s in its fleet, while Air Transat focuses exclusively on A320 narrowbodies according to Planespotters.net data (https://www.planespotters.net/).
As demand for air travel continues its post-pandemic rebound—and manufacturers work to keep pace—pilot training programs are expanding both to attract new entrants and support skill development among current professionals.
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