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First Officer Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does a First Officer Pilot make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Officer Pilot in the United States is $162,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

However, a First Officer Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,959
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $144,115 to $173,923
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,012
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence First Officer Pilot Salaries

A First Officer Pilot's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects First Officer Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a First Officer Pilot's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $114,654
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $140,155
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $162,090
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $193,562
  • Expert (over 8 years): $168,249
Levels Salary
Pilot I Level First Officer Pilot$114,654
Pilot II Level First Officer Pilot$140,155
First Off... Level First Officer Pilot$162,090
Pilot IV Level First Officer Pilot$193,562
Chief Pil... Level First Officer Pilot$168,249
View as Graph

How Do First Officer Pilot Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract First Officer Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $180,363.
  • California: $179,679.
  • Massachusetts: $177,284.

Top Paying Cities for First Officer Pilots

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $205,466
  • San Francisco: $203,216
  • Oakland: $198,933

What Skills Can Increase a First Officer Pilot's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 50% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Aviation (Mentioned in 50% Job Postings): Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 50%
Aviation 50%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a First Officer Pilot's salary.

  • Aviation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Aviation $175,932
8%
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First Officer Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For First Officer Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, First Officer Pilot positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view First Officer Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a First Officer Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$211,770$102.030%
Biotechnology$203,625$98.025%
Business Services$195,480$94.020%
Chemicals$187,335$90.015%
Construction$179,190$86.010%

How Education impacts a First Officer Pilot's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many First Officer Pilots enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a First Officer Pilot with a No Diploma is between $153,894 and $166,474).

First Officer Pilot Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for First Officer Pilot
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 15.7%
High School 15.7%
Associates 9.8%
Bachelors 60.8%
Masters 11.8%
Doctorate 2.0%
View as Graph

First Officer Pilot Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a First Officer Pilot's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$144,115
Average $162,900/year
$173,923
$12,010
Average $13,575/month
$14,494
$2,771
Average $3,133/week
$3,345
$69
Average $78/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $173,923 $14,494 $3,345 $84
Average $162,900 $13,575 $3,133 $78
25th Percentile $144,115 $12,010 $2,771 $69

Most common benefits for First Officer Pilot

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for First Officer Pilot

Here are companies hiring for First Officer Pilot and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about First Officer Pilot

1. What industry pays the highest salary for First Officer Pilot?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for First Officer Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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