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Regional Airline Pilot Salary: What First Officers Really Earn in 2026

By Brock Willes on May 28, 2026 14:05 PM |

Pilots work tirelessly to keep passengers and crew safe. Across regional and major carriers, their commitment is typically rewarded with strong career satisfaction and earning potential. Many regional airline first officers reach six figures in their first or second year.

Captains and first officers earn every penny by bringing exceptional judgment and precision to aircraft operations and by keeping passengers safe. Still, complex pay structures can paint a potentially misleading view of compensation, making it difficult to determine how much first officers are actually paid and how quickly that compensation increases.

To clarify regional first officer roles, we will break down the many moving parts of regional airline compensation, including hourly pay, per diem, bonuses, and benefits packages. Our goal is to help you plan your training and career by providing a picture of earnings, from graduation to the flight deck.

How Regional Airline Pilot Pay Is Structured

Pilots are not paid annually. Rather, pay is based on flight hours. According to Flying Magazine, pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month, although a ‘typical’ month for a commercial pilot might include up to 85 flight hours.

Under this compensation structure, securing enough hours is crucial. A high flight hour guarantee can improve income stability by detailing the minimum number of hours pilots will fly in any given month. These vary between airlines, with maximums established (and strictly enforced) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Additional pay is available as first officers travel to assigned destinations (known as deadheading). In some situations, pay may be provided even when flights are cancelled. Meanwhile, per diem pilot pay helps cover the cost of food when pilots are away from home. This allowance is often paid by the hour, beginning with the trip’s report time and extending until the pilot’s trip is deemed complete.

To get a sense for airline pilot total compensation, it’s a good idea to establish a baseline according to guaranteed hours and hourly pay. This will help you determine reasonable expectations for your salary ‘floor’ while opening the door to further compensation via incentives or per diem.

What Regional First Officers Are Actually Earning in 2026

Compensation can feel confusing to aspiring pilots. While it’s no secret that wage potential is quite strong in this sector, actual earnings vary considerably based on carriers and level or rank. Captains can earn upwards of $300,000 when working for major airline carriers, but pay may seem comparatively modest at the first officer level.

However, this is changing as airlines compete to attract aviation’s top candidates. Many pilots, first officers, training instructors, and other professionals are seeing substantial pay raises within their latest contracts.

First-year pay has more than doubled in the past decade and now ranges between $80,000 and $110,000 for several carriers. Regional first officer pay exceeds starting wages in many other industries and reflects the clear value today’s airlines place on attracting and retaining top talent.

SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest empowers first officers and other aviation professionals to “Take Control of Their Pilot Careers.” Pay rates are clearly defined and competitive within the broader industry: $92.73 per flight hour for first officers in their first year, reaching $98.08 per flight hour in year three.

SkyWest is also often framed as a step on the path to working with major carriers. Flying agreements span four mainline partners (Delta, United, Alaska, and American), and, as an Aviate-participating carrier, SkyWest supports a clear and accessible transition to flying for United Express. What’s more, the Guaranteed Pilot Interview Program helps pilots secure interviews with preferred carriers.

Envoy Air

As American Airlines’ largest regional carrier, Envoy offers a strong starting point for first officers. Rates exceed SkyWest pilot pay; a first officer salary of $99 per flight hour in year one, followed by a generous pay bump to $161.25 per flight hour in year two. This competitive Envoy Air pilot salary is accompanied by an hourly per diem rate of $1.95, with $5 per diem provided for international overnight or continuous duty overnights (CDO).

Envoy currently offers a generous pilot supply premium, as well as robust opportunities for transitioning into work with major commercial carriers. Envoy is part of the American Airlines Group (AAG) and provides company benefits along with a fast track to working for American Airlines.

Sign-On Bonuses, Retention Incentives, and Tuition Reimbursement

Generous compensation often begins before first officers even take to the air. Many airlines offer significant sign-on bonuses in hopes of attracting the field’s best and brightest. Envoy, for example, provides generous airline hiring incentives: up to $100,000 depending on flight hours.

Meanwhile, tuition reimbursements address the early investment required to pursue a career in aviation in the first place. Signing bonuses can function much like tuition reimbursements, allowing first officers to quickly recoup their investment through incentives beyond typical hourly pay.

Perks continue long after becoming a first officer, with retention incentives encouraging current airline employees to continue flying with their initial carriers. Endeavor Air, for example, promises $110,000 in retention bonuses for experienced first officers, with eligibility beginning at 750 qualifying hours. Those who opt in to this retention program may reach Early Captain pay at 850 hours.

The Captain Upgrade and What It Means for Your Earnings

First officer pay may seem generous, but the real compensation advantage comes with the highly anticipated captain upgrade. This marks the transition from co-pilot to pilot in command. Because it comes with such a steep increase in responsibility and accountability, it also carries a major boost in both immediate income and long-term earning potential.

When examining compensation, it’s important to consider both the captain’s pay and the overall captain upgrade timeline. With certain regional airlines, this upgrade can take place in just two years; some professionals may see their pay almost double as they step into the role of captain. In general, upgrade timelines have accelerated dramatically due to pilot shortages.

As with first officer pay, rates for captains vary across airlines. At SkyWest, first-year captains earn $144.24 per flight hour, while first-year captains with Horizon Air earn $153.68 per hour. Depending on seniority and aircraft type, regional captains can expect to earn anywhere from $140,000 to $230,000 annually.

Benefits Beyond the Paycheck

The perks of airline compensation go beyond hourly pay and per diem. Benefits packages are also important, as these allow pilots and first officers to access healthcare coverage and improve long-term financial stability.

Regional airline benefits typically include multiple healthcare options. Eligible employees choose between preferred provider organizations (PPOs) or consumer-driven health plans featuring health savings accounts (HSAs). Furthermore, airlines typically offer life insurance and disability programs at no cost to pilots. Other potential perks include:

Flight benefits. Pilots (and often their partners or family members) can fly for free on standby when extra seats are available. Many airlines even offer jumpseat programs, which allow pilots to commute or travel easily via participating carriers (assuming space is available).
Well-being programs. Airlines support pilot health and well-being through gym memberships and digital nutrition programs. Employee assistance programs (EAPs) help many pilots access counseling and other mental health services.
Vacation, personal days, and paid holidays. Work-life balance is far more accessible to pilots than many people realize. Many airlines encourage captains and first officers to take time off as needed, offering multiple weeks of vacation along with separate paid holidays and paid personal days.
High 401(k) contributions. Most airlines have moved away from pensions but continue to generously fund retirement via substantial 401(k) matches. These often reach up to 17%, with airlines such as Southwest using Market Based Cash Balance Plans (MBCBPs) to help pilots accumulate long-term retirement savings.
Skill-building opportunities. From mentorship programs to digital libraries and even scholarship programs, airlines encourage pilots to continue honing their aviation skills and even actively help them climb the industry’s structured career ladder.

Many regional and major commercial carriers maintain agreements known as flow-through programs, which encourage career advancement by helping pilots “flow” from smaller carriers to major airlines. We’ve already detailed examples from Envoy and SkyWest; other compelling pathways include the trajectory from Piedmont to American Airlines and from Horizon to Alaska Airlines.

Launch Your Aviation Career With Phoenix East Aviation

Career passion matters, but it’s also important to clarify what the modern pilot pay scale means and where compensation can differ. Examining regional airline pilot salary details alongside industry trends can help you understand how pay stacks up across this rapidly evolving sector. A quick glance through Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) resources reveals positive prospects: median annual wages of $226,600 for airline pilots (as of 2024) and steady job growth in the next few years.

Ultimately, first officer roles are not just an exercise in waiting, they’re a solid starting point. They offer fulfillment, competitive compensation, and a clear pathway to advancement and an eventual captain upgrade.

Begin your journey to become a first officer (and eventually, a captain) with Phoenix East Aviation’s pilot training programs. These programs guide you toward important stages in your aviation career, including future work as a first officer. Make the most of each phase as you pursue your passion for aviation and continue to build earning potential.