Pilot Salary UK 2025 | Aviation Pay Calculator
Calculate your take-home pilot salary after income tax and National Insurance. Enter your annual salary or select a grade to see monthly and weekly pay. Includes salary benchmarks from ab initio cadet to wide-body captain, with UK airline comparisons for Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Jet2.
Pilot Salary Take-Home Calculator 2025/26
UK Pilot Salary by Grade & Airline 2025
The table below shows typical total remuneration (base salary plus sector pay and regular allowances) for UK commercial pilots in 2025. Figures represent midpoints of typical salary ranges; actual pay varies by seniority, aircraft type, base, and contract structure.
| Grade | Typical Salary Range | Ryanair | easyJet | British Airways | Jet2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ab Initio / Cadet | £0 (in training) | Cadet scheme | EasyJet Cadet | BA Future Pilot | Jet2 Cadet |
| First Officer (Junior) | £45,000 – £60,000 | ~£48,000 | ~£52,000 | ~£58,000 | ~£50,000 |
| First Officer (Senior) | £60,000 – £75,000 | ~£65,000 | ~£70,000 | ~£80,000 | ~£65,000 |
| Senior First Officer | £70,000 – £95,000 | ~£75,000 | ~£85,000 | ~£95,000 | ~£78,000 |
| Captain (Narrow Body) | £80,000 – £130,000 | ~£105,000 | ~£115,000 | ~£120,000 | ~£100,000 |
| Captain (Wide Body) | £120,000 – £180,000 | N/A | N/A | ~£155,000 | N/A |
| Captain (Wide Body Senior) | £150,000 – £200,000+ | N/A | N/A | ~£180,000+ | N/A |
Source: BALPA salary surveys, pilot forums, and publicly available airline data 2024–2025. Figures include estimated sector pay and regular allowances. Self-employed/contractor pilots may have different gross figures.
Pilot Salary in the UK: What You Need to Know
UK commercial pilot salaries in 2025 range from modest first officer pay at regional or low-cost carriers to highly competitive captain salaries at major long-haul airlines. Aviation is unique in that base salary is often supplemented by sector pay (a per-flight payment for each sector operated), allowances for overnight stays away from home base, and bonuses linked to productivity or company performance.
The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) publishes regular salary surveys and actively negotiates pay deals across the industry. BALPA-represented pilots at major carriers such as British Airways, Jet2, and easyJet tend to earn more and have better employment protections than those at airlines using self-employed or agency structures.
How Pilot Pay Is Structured
UK airline pilot pay typically consists of several components. Base salary is the fixed annual amount, paid monthly regardless of hours flown. Sector pay is an additional payment for each flight sector operated, which can add £10,000 to £40,000 per year for active flying operations. Subsistence allowances are paid for overnight stays away from base — some of these may be tax-free if paid within HMRC approved rates. Bonuses may be paid for training commitments, retention, or company performance. Pension contributions from the employer are a significant additional benefit at larger airlines, typically 5% to 15% of base salary.
The headline salary figures quoted by airlines and in job advertisements are usually base salary only. Total remuneration including sector pay and allowances can be materially higher — a Ryanair captain might earn a base of £90,000 but total remuneration of £110,000 to £130,000 when sector pay is included.
Tax Treatment for UK Pilots
Most UK pilots employed directly by airlines are taxed as PAYE employees under the standard UK income tax and National Insurance system. However, the aviation industry has historically had many pilots working as self-employed contractors through personal service companies (PSCs), which allowed more flexibility in tax planning. HMRC's IR35 legislation — which requires off-payroll workers to be assessed as employees for tax purposes if the disguised employment tests are met — has significantly affected this structure. Many airlines now insist on directly employed PAYE arrangements or engage pilots through specific agency models.
Pilots who spend significant time working abroad may be eligible for non-resident status or split-year treatment, which can affect their UK tax liability. Crew members who work on international routes and are resident in the UK are generally still liable for UK income tax on their full earnings, though double taxation treaties may provide relief on income taxed in other jurisdictions.
The Cost of Becoming a Pilot in the UK
The most significant factor affecting a pilot's financial position is the training cost. A UK integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) — the main route to airline employment — costs approximately £80,000 to £130,000 depending on the flight academy and training location. This is typically self-funded via personal loans, family support, or flight academy financing schemes. A few airlines offer sponsored cadet programmes (British Airways, easyJet, Jet2) where the training cost is met by the airline in exchange for a bonding period, but places are extremely competitive.
Once qualified, a newly minted first officer must also pass type rating training for their specific aircraft type (e.g., Boeing 737 type rating, Airbus A320 type rating), which costs a further £20,000 to £35,000. Some airlines pay for this on joining; others (particularly Ryanair historically) required pilots to fund their own type rating. The total investment of £100,000 to £160,000 before earning a salary means many younger pilots carry significant debt, affecting their take-home financial position even at apparently attractive gross salaries.
Pilot Shortage and Salary Outlook
The global aviation industry is facing a well-documented pilot shortage. Boeing's Pilot Outlook report projects that the Asia-Pacific and global aviation sectors will need hundreds of thousands of additional pilots over the next two decades. In the UK, post-pandemic pilot retirements, reduced training during COVID-19, and strong demand growth have all contributed to upward pressure on pilot salaries. Airlines across Europe have increased starting pay and improved conditions to attract and retain pilots, particularly at captain level.
At current trends, UK pilot salaries are expected to continue rising modestly above inflation through the late 2020s, particularly for captains on wide-body long-haul operations where experience is most scarce. First officer salaries at low-cost carriers remain more competitive, but starting pay has improved from the very modest figures seen in the early 2010s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average pilot salary in the UK in 2025?
UK pilot salaries in 2025 range widely by grade and airline. A junior first officer earns approximately £45,000 to £65,000. A senior first officer earns £70,000 to £95,000. A narrow-body captain (A320, B737) earns £80,000 to £130,000. A wide-body captain (B777, B787, A380) at British Airways or Virgin Atlantic earns £120,000 to £180,000+. Total remuneration including sector pay and allowances can be substantially higher than the base salary figure.
How much does a Ryanair pilot earn in the UK?
Ryanair pilots in 2025 earn approximately: junior first officer £45,000 to £55,000 base; senior first officer £60,000 to £75,000; captain (Boeing 737 MAX) £95,000 to £130,000 total remuneration including sector pay. Many Ryanair pilots fly under contract or agency arrangements rather than as direct employees, which can affect employment rights and benefits. Sector pay at Ryanair can be a significant proportion of total earnings.
How much does an easyJet pilot earn?
easyJet pilots are directly employed with competitive salaries: first officer approximately £52,000 to £73,000; senior first officer approximately £73,000 to £92,000; captain approximately £92,000 to £140,000 including sector pay. easyJet offers a company pension, private healthcare, and staff travel benefits. Direct employment provides stronger employment rights than self-employed contractor arrangements used by some other operators.
What is the take-home pay for a pilot earning £100,000?
A pilot earning £100,000 in 2025/26 takes home approximately £65,800 per year (£5,483 per month). Deductions are: income tax £27,432 and National Insurance £3,768. With a Plan 2 student loan (common among pilots who self-funded training), a further £6,517 is deducted, giving take-home of approximately £59,283 per year (£4,940 per month). Salary sacrifice pension contributions would reduce tax and NI further.
How long does it take to become a commercial pilot in the UK?
The integrated ATPL route takes 18 to 24 months of full-time training, costing £80,000 to £130,000. The modular route takes 3 to 5 years part-time, costing £60,000 to £100,000. After qualifying with a Frozen ATPL, pilots need at least 1,500 flight hours before the full ATPL is issued. Most pilots spend 5 to 10 years as a first officer before upgrading to captain, depending on the airline and fleet size.
How much do British Airways pilots earn?
British Airways pilots are among the UK's highest-paid in aviation. In 2025: first officer £58,000 to £85,000; senior first officer £85,000 to £110,000; narrow-body captain (A320) £100,000 to £135,000; long-haul captain (B787, B777) £130,000 to £180,000+. BA pilots are represented by BALPA with comprehensive benefits including pension, private healthcare, and generous travel concessions.
Do pilots pay more tax because of their allowances?
Pilot sector pay and bonuses are fully taxable as employment income. Subsistence and accommodation allowances paid at or below HMRC approved rates can be tax-free. Pilots on international routes are generally still fully liable to UK income tax as UK residents, though double taxation treaties may provide relief in some cases. Pilots working through personal service companies must comply with IR35 rules, which often results in similar tax treatment to PAYE employment.