Highest Paying Jobs in Aviation

While top executives can earn millions per year, frontline operational employees can also work in well-compensated roles, with some jobs offering six-figure annual salaries. Here are the highest-paying jobs in the aviation industry:

The top earners at a company are typically the senior executives, and airlines are no different.

The chief executive officers of major airlines in the United States made anywhere from $4.5 million to $34 million in 2023. These individuals typically reach their roles through other jobs in airline management.

Airlines have countless different roles in their corporate offices, ranging from revenue management to network planning to human resources. Entry-level jobs typically offer salaries under $75,000, but there is significant room for earnings growth if workers climb the corporate ladder.

Just like an airline, airports have teams of employees working behind the scenes in their management offices. There are people who oversee emergency preparedness, manage projects, and run the airport’s finances.

Airport executives can also be very well paid, with top executives earning hundreds of thousands—if not millions—per year. As is the case at the airlines, there is also significant earning potential between entry-level positions and senior management roles.

Pilots are some of the most well-paid operational workers in the aviation industry. New pilots at a major airline can expect to make between $90,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on the airline.

Meanwhile, the most senior captains can earn over $500,000 at the largest airlines in the U.S.

Although regional airlines were once notorious for low pilot pay, they now offer significantly more generous compensation. A new first officer at a regional airline typically has an annual salary of $80,000 to $110,000, and senior captains can earn over $200,000 a year.

The salary of corporate pilots can vary greatly, from $40,000 to over $300,000 per year.

Aerospace engineers play a crucial role in the aviation industry by designing and developing aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Employers typically require a four-year college engineering degree, and many aerospace engineers pursue graduate education on top of that.

Companies that hire aerospace engineers include aircraft manufacturers, rocket companies, and parts manufacturers. The median pay for an aerospace engineer in America was approximately $130,000 per year, but salaries can far exceed that with some employers and positions.

The job of an air traffic controller is a challenging and dynamic one.

These professionals are responsible for monitoring our airports and skies and managing the movement of aircraft. In the U.S., most civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) are employed by the FAA.

After they complete their training and are assigned to an air traffic facility, controllers earn approximately $60,000 to $70,000 per year. The pay rates depend in part on the geographical area and associated cost of living.

Salaries increase as controllers progress throughout their practical training and move along in their careers, with the average salary for an ATC in 2023 being $137,380.

The aviation industry offers the opportunity to earn generous salaries while working in a dynamic and rewarding field.

While there are certainly jobs in the industry that have limited earning potential, others—like the ones discussed above—can lead to very well-paying careers.