Becoming a commercial airline pilot in the US is an exciting career path for those who dream of flying for a living. Despite the substantial initial investment, it can also be extremely financially rewarding over the long term, with experienced captains able to earn in excess of $350,000 annually at legacy carriers such as United Airlines.

In this article, we will use the latest data from Thrust to examine the typical salaries of pilots flying an average of 70 hours per month at the country’s major low-cost carriers – Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. We will consider the role that seniority and experience play in pilots’ salaries, and will also look at the different aircraft that pilots operate at each of the airlines.

How To Become A Pilot In The US

The journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot in the US requires dedication, discipline, and significant training, and begins with earning a Private Pilot License (PPL). The PPL allows a pilot to fly small aircraft for personal use, and in order to obtain one, the aspiring pilot must be at least 17 years old, hold a valid medical certificate, and complete around 40 hours of flight time at a flight school approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many students also complete ground school courses to learn aviation theory, meteorology, and flight planning.

After gaining experience, the next major step is earning an Instrument Rating (IR), which is a qualification that allows pilots to fly in a wider range of weather conditions and is essential for professional operations. The pilot must then pursue a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and in order to obtain one, must be at least 18 years old, hold a second-class medical certificate, and log at least 250 total flight hours. CPL training focuses on advanced maneuvers, navigation, aircraft systems, and professional flight standards.

Many aspiring airline pilots also obtain a Multi-Engine Rating (ME), since most commercial aircraft have more than one engine. In addition, to fly for commercial airlines, a pilot must earn an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires 1,500 hours of flight experience. Some pilots may also later choose to become flight instructors themselves to build hours and gain valuable experience and knowledge.

Following all this training and with several years of experience under their belts, the financial rewards for pilots can be incredible. The salaries for pilots are often among the highest in the commercial aviation industry, particularly for those with more experience and in the rank of Captain. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the earning potential for pilots at some of the US’s major low-cost carriers – Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines was founded in 1980 as a small charter operator offering flights to leisure destinations and was initially called Charter One. The carrier later rebranded as Spirit Airlines in 1992 and soon shifted its focus towards scheduled passenger services, growing rapidly throughout the 1990s, and has since gone on to become one of the most recognized names in US aviation for its bold approach to low-cost flying.

Spirit Airlines was one of the first US airlines to fully adopt the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model, keeping base fares as low as possible and allowing passengers to choose and pay for only the extras they want, such as checked bags, seat assignments, and onboard snacks. This approach has made Spirit Airlines a leader in affordable travel, appealing to cost-conscious passengers who value flexibility, although it has also sparked controversy.

Today, Spirit Airlines serves more than 90 destinations across the US, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, and its largest base is at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), with its operations there accounting for around 30% of its entire network. The latest data from ch-aviation shows that pilots at Spirit Airlines operate a fleet of 102 aircraft, made up of 31 A320s, 27 A320neos, 22 A321s, and 22 A321neos. These aircraft’s capacities range from 176 to 229 passengers in an all-economy class configuration.

Spirit Airlines recently reached an agreement with both its pilots and cabin crew around pay, and typical pilot salaries at the carrier, depending on rank and seniority, are outlined in the table below:

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air operates a fleet of 131 aircraft, made up of 31 Airbus A319s, 84 A320s, and 16 Boeing 737 MAX 200s, which are a high-density version of Boeing’s popular 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The carrier also has a further 34 737 MAX aircraft on order, highlighting its transition to a more efficient fleet.

Allegiant Air was founded in 1997 and has its headquarters at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Today, Allegiant Air serves over 125 destinations across the US, mostly from secondary airports, which helps to reduce congestion and travel time, with a particular focus on routes to and from popular leisure destinations throughout Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. The carrier is unique in that it focuses on leisure routes and regional markets, increasing access to air travel for communities outside of major metropolitan areas.

However, data from Thurst shows that pilots flying for Allegiant Air can expect to earn less than at other low-cost carriers. The typical salaries for pilots working at the airline are shown in the table below:

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines is one of the leading ultra-low-cost carriers in the US, known for offering affordable fares and a no-frills flying experience, as well as its unique all-you-can fly GoWild! pass. Founded in 1994, Frontier Airlines today operates from several bases across the country, the largest of which is located at Denver International Airport (DEN). Other Frontier Airlines bases include Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), as well as the world’s busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Frontier Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet of 166 aircraft, consisting of six A320s, 82 A320neos, 21 A321s, and 57 A321neos. The carrier also has a further 12 A320neos and 151 A321neos on order. Each of Frontier Airlines’ aircraft features a unique animal image on the tail, giving the carrier a friendly and recognizable personality.

Despite its no-frills approach to flying, Frontier Airlines’ pilot salaries are surprisingly generous when compared to those found at other low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers, as outlined in the table below:

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is one of the most iconic carriers in the US, widely recognized for revolutionizing low-cost air travel. Founded in 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, the airline began with the simple idea of making flying affordable and fun for everyone. Originally named Air Southwest, the airline started commercial services in 1971 with just three Boeing 737 aircraft serving the cities of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

From the beginning, Southwest Airlines stood out for its unique approach. It operated a single aircraft type, the Boeing 737, to simplify maintenance and training, and used a point-to-point route system rather than traditional airline hubs. The carrier also became famous for its friendly crews, no assigned seating, and free checked bags, all of which helped build strong customer loyalty.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Southwest Airlines expanded rapidly across the US while maintaining profitability, which is a rare feat in the aviation industry. Today, the carrier serves over 100 destinations and operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 737s, made up of 334 737-700s, 203 737-800s, and 273 737 MAX 8s, with an additional 314 737 MAX 7s and 196 737 MAX 8s on order.

When it comes to its pilot salaries, Southwest Airlines is one of the more generous low-cost carriers, with experienced captains often earning in excess of $250,000 per year. The typical salaries that pilots can expect at Southwest Airlines are shown in the table below:

How Do Low-Cost Carriers Compare To Legacy Airlines?

Low-cost carriers in the US typically pay slightly lower than their legacy counterparts for first officers with less experience. Typical pilot salaries found at American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are shown in the table below:

When it comes to the rank of captain, the difference becomes even more noticeable – for example, a captain with more than 12 years’ service at United Airlines can expect to earn around $350,000 per year, almost $100,000 higher than a similar role at the best-paid low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines. With that in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that many aspiring pilots dream of one day flying for one of the country’s Big Three airlines.