The substantial salaries commanded by commercial airline pilots have been thrust into the spotlight after detailed payslips were shared online, revealing annual earnings well into the hundreds of thousands.
Southwest Pilot Shares Impressive Earnings
A user named Corbin Williams posted an image on X, purportedly showing a Southwest Airlines payslip, which ignited widespread discussion. The post was captioned: '2.5 years as a pilot at Southwest - $300k [£222.8k]'. While the exact ownership of the document is unconfirmed, the figures presented are striking.
The payslip, dated for the period December 1 to 15, 2025, showed a gross two-week income of $16,762.47 (£12,449.65). After taxes and deductions, the net pay for that fortnight was $10,957.32 (£8,138.11). More impressively, the year-to-date gross earnings listed amounted to a substantial $292,260.62 (£217,064.89).
Williams accompanied the image with a reflective question: 'What if you got paid this much to do something you love to do?!' The Daily Mail has contacted Southwest Airlines for comment on the shared document.
American Airlines Captain's Pay Packet Surfaces
This revelation follows a similar online share last month, where a payslip appearing to belong to an American Airlines captain detailed even higher remuneration. Posted on Reddit, the pay stub provided a complete breakdown of the pilot's income.
The document highlighted a base rate of $361 (£268) per hour. For a bi-weekly pay period covering November 16 to December 1, the pilot's gross pay was $35,963.66 (£26,722.49). The largest portion, $26,162.09 (£19,439.52), came from 95 hours of actual flight time.
Additional compensation included:
- $3,638.70 (£2,703.70) from the airline's profit-sharing scheme.
- $3,805.78 (£2,827.85) listed as 'premium incentives', typically for flights at unsociable hours like late nights.
- Compensation for mandatory random alcohol and drug testing.
The pilot's staggering year-to-date earnings were shown as $457,894.51 (£340,234.59).
Public Reaction and Career Considerations
The disclosure of these significant pilot salaries prompted a wave of reactions online. One commenter noted the stark disparity, stating: 'This dude makes what I make in a month in a day.' Another pondered a career shift, quipping: 'I need to make a career change. Is it okay that I'm already 33?'
While these figures are eye-catching, it is crucial to contextualise them within the aviation industry. Reaching such earning potential requires:
- Years of expensive and intensive training to obtain an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
- Accumulating thousands of flight hours, often starting in lower-paid instructor or regional airline roles.
- Operating large commercial aircraft for major carriers, a position accompanied by immense responsibility for passenger safety.
The posts offer a rare public glimpse into the high remuneration possible in commercial aviation, particularly for experienced captains at leading US airlines like Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. They underscore the financial rewards that can accompany the skilled, high-pressure profession of piloting, balancing the substantial upfront investment in training with long-term earning potential.
