What salary might a pilot expect to earn?
A new pilot doing very basic charter work somewhere in outback Australia would be earning in the low tens of thousands. Several years later, that same pilot might be training other pilots in small airlines – such as those operated by REX Regional Express or Qantas Link – and as a senior pilot could be earning up to $150,000. Years later, those same pilots could be in a 747 jumbo jet or working for a large airline as what V-Australia calls a cruise relief pilot, earning something like $50,000. Then, after a year or two, promotion to first officer would bring a salary of something like $120,000. Years later, when successfully completing a command, the salary will be in the region of $180,000. Different airlines pay differing amounts. Overseas airlines that use foreign pilots – such as Emirates, Singapore or Cathay Pacific – tend to pay significantly more and offer better all round packages, including housing, education and medical benefits, because they recognise that a premium is requir
