The rigorous training and immense responsibility of commercial airline pilots are well-known, but the financial rewards for these skilled professionals have often been a subject of speculation. Now, a glimpse into the cockpit of pilot pay has been provided by leaked documents shared online, revealing annual earnings that can soar well into the hundreds of thousands.
Southwest Pilot's Pay Slip Shows Staggering Earnings
On the social media platform X, a user named Corbin Williams posted a photo of what appears to be a Southwest Airlines payslip. Although the exact ownership of the document is unconfirmed, Williams captioned the image: '2.5 years as a pilot at Southwest - $300k [£222.8k].' He provocatively added, 'What if you got paid this much to do something you love to do?!'
The payslip, dated for the period from December 1 to 15, 2025, details a gross pay of $16,762.47 (approximately £12,449.65) for those two weeks alone. After deductions for taxes and other items, the net pay landed at $10,957.32 (£8,138.11). More impressively, the year-to-date gross earnings shown were $292,260.62, equating to roughly £217,064.89.
American Airlines Captain's Pay Packet Nears Half a Million
This revelation follows another high-profile leak last month, where a pay stub from an American Airlines captain was shared on Reddit. This document provided a comprehensive breakdown of the pilot's income, showcasing the various components that build a top-tier aviation salary.
The pilot's base rate was listed as $361 (£268) per hour. Their bi-weekly pay cheque for the period covering November 16 to December 1 amounted to $35,963.66 (£26,722.49). The largest portion, $26,162.09 (£19,439.52), came from 95 hours of actual flight time. Additional payments included $3,638.70 (£2,703.70) from the airline's profit-sharing scheme and $3,805.78 (£2,827.85) labelled as 'premium incentives,' likely for unsociable hours like late-night flights. Compensation for mandatory random alcohol and drug tests was also itemised.
The most staggering figure was the captain's year-to-date earnings: $457,894.51, or about £340,234.59. The post sparked astonishment among readers, with one commenter noting, 'This dude makes what I make in a month in a day,' while another pondered a career change, asking, 'I need to make a career change. Is it okay that I'm already 33?'
The Reality Behind the High-Flying Figures
While these figures are undoubtedly eye-catching, they represent the earnings of experienced pilots at major US carriers, not the starting salary for a first officer at a regional airline. Reaching this level requires years of expensive training, accumulating thousands of flight hours, and progressing through seniority ranks, a system that heavily influences pay and schedule quality.
The airline pilot salary structure is complex, with pay calculated on a combination of factors including flight hours, aircraft type, rank (Captain vs. First Officer), and years of service at the airline. The leaked documents highlight the significant financial potential in the profession, especially for long-haul captains at legacy carriers. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines was approached by The Daily Mail for comment regarding the shared payslip.
These leaks provide a rare, transparent look into the upper echelons of aviation employment remuneration. They underscore the substantial investment in training and experience required, but also the lucrative rewards available for those who reach the top of their profession, navigating complex aircraft and ensuring the safety of hundreds of passengers on each journey.
