The glamour of flying an aircraft has long captured the imagination of aspiring aviators across the globe. Yet behind the dream lies a steep financial and professional reality.
In Switzerland, for example, the national airline SWISS recently announced the cancellation of approximately 1,400 flights until October due to a shortage of pilots. The shortage highlights not only the challenges facing airlines but also the significant costs and rewards of the profession.
According to SWISS, the cost of pilot training can reach around €150,000, a daunting figure for most. Naturally, the next question is what pilots earn in return for such a heavy investment. Salaries across Europe vary widely depending on country, airline, and above all, experience.
With demand for qualified pilots rising, understanding these salary patterns is crucial for both aspiring professionals and the aviation industry at large.
Photo: TAP Air Portugal | LinkedInHow Much European Country Pay Its Pilots?
Airline pilot salaries in Europe span a wide range, largely shaped by experience. In the United Kingdom, entry-level pilots can expect to earn about €54,283 (£47,000), while those with significant experience can command salaries of up to €173,243 (£150,000), Euronews reports.
Data from the ERI Economic Research Institute shows that pilots with over eight years of experience often earn 60 to 80 percent more than those with only one to three years in the cockpit. This means seasoned captains may take home more than triple the pay of their juniors.
Although Eurostat provides estimates, its averages often understate pilot earnings, since they blend salaries across broader industry categories. National statistics offices and independent platforms like ERI offer more accurate insights into this highly specialized profession.
Photo: Air FranceUnited Kingdom, Germany, and France
The Office for National Statistics reports that median annual earnings for aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers stood at around €95,240 (£80,414) as of April 2024. According to ERI, the average pilot salary is slightly lower, at €90,253 (£78,146), but rises to €115,562 (£100,060) in the Greater London area.
The pay difference between first officers and captains is striking. Senior captains, particularly at long-haul airlines, regularly surpass six-figure earnings, placing pilots among the UK’s top five highest-paying professions.
Germany is also one of the best-paying countries for pilots. The Federal Statistical Office reports average monthly earnings of €12,566, translating to €150,792 annually. Median annual pay stands at €122,484, but for highly complex roles such as captains flying intercontinental routes, this figure can soar to over €342,000.
According to ERI, average salaries hover around €106,000, with junior pilots starting at €73,785 and experienced aviators earning €132,117 or more.
In France, pilots also command strong salaries. The national statistics office places average monthly pilot earnings at €9,300, or €111,600 annually. ERI’s estimates are slightly lower, with an average of €87,903, rising to €109,292 for experienced professionals.
As one of Europe’s leading aviation markets, France consistently ranks pilots among the country’s top five best-paid occupations.
Photo: Hawaiian AirlinesWestern, Northern Europe, and Sweden
Western and Northern European countries dominate when it comes to pilot salaries. According to ERI: Belgium reports, an average annual salary of €110,424, Ireland averages €108,007, with Ryanair captains reportedly earning up to €180,000.
Both Austria and the Netherlands offer salaries exceeding €100,000. Finland follows closely with approximately €96,000.
These figures highlight a strong correlation between a country’s economic strength and the salaries its airlines can afford to pay.
In Italy and Spain, official statistics are lacking, but ERI estimates average salaries of €80,427 in Italy and €77,269 in Spain. While these figures are lower than in France or Germany, they remain significantly higher than in Eastern Europe.
These countries also benefit from vibrant tourism-driven aviation industries, providing numerous opportunities for commercial pilots despite the moderate pay scale.
Swedish pilots earn respectable but comparatively lower wages than in Western Europe. Statistics Sweden reports an average monthly salary of €6,492, amounting to €77,904 per year. ERI’s figures are close, with an average of €80,822. Salaries range from €56,125 for new pilots to just over €100,000 for veterans.
Despite lower wages compared to Switzerland or Germany, pilots in Sweden still rank among the country’s higher earners.
Photo: LufthansaEastern and Southern Europe: Lower salaries, growing demand
The disparity becomes clearer when looking eastward. In Portugal, pilots earn about €60,054 annually. In Greece, salaries average €56,523, though senior pilots cross the €70,000 mark.
In Poland, pilots make around €50,000, while in Czechia the figure dips slightly to €47,974. The lowest in Europe is Romania, where the average salary is €32,299, though experienced pilots can still reach nearly €40,000.
While these figures are modest by Western standards, cost-of-living differences and purchasing power parity narrow the gap somewhat. Still, the wage disparity has fueled pilot migration from Eastern to Western Europe, worsening shortages in lower-paying regions.
Photo: Scoot AirPilot salaries rising amid shortage
The global aviation sector is entering a new era of scarcity. Consulting firm Oliver Wyman projects a worldwide shortfall of nearly 80,000 pilots by 2032, with Europe alone facing a deficit of about 19,000.
This shortage is already influencing salaries. According to BAA Training Aviation Academy, pilot pay is climbing as airlines compete for qualified staff. Airlines that cannot raise wages may struggle to maintain schedules, as SWISS’s canceled flights have demonstrated.
Despite the training costs and demanding lifestyle, airline pilots remain among the highest-paid professionals in Europe. In France, they rank fifth in terms of average monthly salary. In Germany, in highly complex aviation roles, pilots hold the top spot overall.
In the UK, pilots and air traffic controllers also rank in the top five professions. In Denmark, pilots earned €13,523 (DKK 100,890) monthly in 2023, making them the country’s seventh highest-paid occupation.
Photo- PexelsBottom Line
Pilot salaries across Europe reflect both the prestige of the profession and the economic realities of the aviation sector. From Romania’s €32,000 average to Switzerland’s €113,000, the gap is striking.
The pay gap is also shaped by geography, airline profitability, and demand. With training costs soaring to €150,000 and global pilot shortages looming, the profession remains both challenging and rewarding.
For those willing to invest in their future, flying for a European airline can provide not just a career in the skies, but also a place among the continent’s highest earners.
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Lufthansa Pilot Salary in 2025
The post Which European Country Pays its Pilots The Highest Salary? appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
