How Much Does a First Officer Make in 2025?
First officers, or second in command, share flight duties with the captain and ensure compliance with FAA rules and company policies. First officer's jobs involve assisting with preflight preparation, conducting visual inspections before and after flights, and monitoring flight operations throughout the journey.
As demand for pilot first officers' increases, salaries are also going up. As of July 9, 2025, the average first officer earns $142,200 per year. However, the first officer's salary can vary based on various factors, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average First Officer’s Salary?
The average first officer salary in the United States is $142,200 per year, as of July 9, 2025. For the hourly wage, first officers have an average salary of $68 per hour, with rates ranging from $55 to $82 per hour.
2025 First Officer Average Salary: $142,200 per year ($68 per hour)
Meanwhile, the weekly and monthly salaries for a first officer are $2,735 and $11,850, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a First Officer?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for first officers starts at $115,072 and can reach as high as $170,284 per year, with most earnings falling between $128,000 and $156,900 per year.
However, as mentioned earlier, the salary range for first officer varies based on education, experience level, and location.
First Officer Salary Range: $115,072 to $170,284 per year ($55 to $82 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55 | $2,213 | $9,589 | $115,072 |
| 25th | $62 | $2,462 | $10,667 | $128,000 |
| 50th (Median) | $68 | $2,735 | $11,850 | $142,200 |
| 75th | $75 | $3,017 | $13,075 | $156,900 |
| 90th | $82 | $3,275 | $14,190 | $170,284 |
First Officer Salary Factors
Several aspects affect a first officer's salary, such as education, location, experience, and skills. Here's how each one impacts pay.
Years of Experience
The average first officer pilot salary varies by experience, ranging from $135,842 per year for entry-level positions to $147,722 per year for experienced pilots with over eight years of experience.
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level First Officer | Less than 1 | $135,842 |
| Intermediate Level First Officer | 1–2 | $136,901 |
| Senior Pilot First Officer | 2–4 | $139,021 |
| Specialist Level First Officer | 5–8 | $142,200 |
| Expert Level First Officer | 8+ | $147,722 |
Place of Work
According to the BLS, the industry or workplace of this job title can also affect their salary. For example, a first officer employed in couriers and express delivery services may earn up to 82.63% more than one working in the federal government, excluding the postal service.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Couriers and express delivery services | $239,200 or more |
| Scheduled air transportation | $239,200 or more |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | $226,870 |
| Support activities for transportation | $138,290 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $130,980 |
Skill Set
First officers with in-demand skills can boost their salaries. The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data report shows that those with Transportation Services skills can earn 8.81% more than those without.
A first officer with Flight Management System skills is also likely to see a 7.12% increase, followed by Emergency Landing, which offers the same salary boost as flight management.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Services | 20.60% | +8.81% |
| Flight Management System | 18.49% | +7.12% |
| Emergency Landing | 18.29% | +7.12% |
| Avionics | 18.19% | +6.04% |
| Flight Instrument Use and Maintenance | 18.19% | +7.12% |
| Approach and Landing | 18.09% | +7.12% |
First Officer Salary by City and State
A first officer’s location can impact their salary. This helps in spotting pay trends, negotiating better pay, or planning a pilot career.
Highest Paying States for First Officers
Based on Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for this rewarding career in the United States, at $157,400 per year, followed by California at $156,800.
- District of Columbia: $157,400
- California: $156,800
- Massachusetts: $154,700
- New Jersey / Washington: $154,100
- Alaska: $153,900
First Officers Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $153,900 |
| Alabama | $130,600 |
| Arkansas | $128,400 |
| Arizona | $138,500 |
| California | $156,800 |
| Colorado | $145,100 |
| Connecticut | $151,900 |
| District of Columbia | $157,400 |
| Delaware | $144,000 |
| Florida | $134,500 |
| Georgia | $137,100 |
| Hawaii | $148,600 |
| Iowa | $136,100 |
| Idaho | $132,700 |
| Illinois | $144,900 |
| Indiana | $136,500 |
| Kansas | $135,400 |
| Kentucky | $133,800 |
| Louisiana | $135,200 |
| Massachusetts | $154,700 |
| Maryland | $146,600 |
| Maine | $138,600 |
| Michigan | $140,000 |
| Minnesota | $145,500 |
| Missouri | $135,100 |
| Mississippi | $126,800 |
| Montana | $134,200 |
| North Carolina | $135,100 |
| North Dakota | $140,400 |
| Nebraska | $133,900 |
| New Hampshire | $143,700 |
| New Jersey | $154,100 |
| New Mexico | $131,700 |
| Nevada | $140,700 |
| New York | $151,100 |
| Ohio | $138,400 |
| Oklahoma | $131,500 |
| Oregon | $144,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $141,500 |
| Rhode Island | $147,400 |
| South Carolina | $133,200 |
| South Dakota | $129,200 |
| Tennessee | $132,900 |
| Texas | $138,700 |
| Utah | $136,100 |
| Virginia | $143,200 |
| Vermont | $139,500 |
| Washington | $154,100 |
| Wisconsin | $139,900 |
| West Virginia | $128,000 |
| Wyoming | $136,300 |
Highest Paying Cities for First Officers
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest salary for first officers at $179,300 per year or $86 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for first officers are:
- San Jose, California: $179,300 ($86 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $177,500 ($85 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $173,600 ($83 per hour)
- New York, New York: $164,800 ($79 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $163,700 ($79 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $162,500 ($78 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a First Officer
First officers can boost their actual earnings by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Gain aviation industry experience: More flying hours, a good safety record, and experience with different aircraft can lead to higher pay. New first officers earn less, but those with more experience can move into better-paying roles or become captains.
- Develop high-demand skills: Focus on skills that employers want most. First officers with Transportation Services skills can earn 8.81% more, while Flight Planning and Flight Management Systems can boost pay by 8.22% and 7.12%. Other useful skills include Avionics, Emergency Landing, and Aircraft Stability and Control. Many of these skills are taught or refined through advanced training programs and specialized courses at flight schools.
- Negotiate your compensation and other incentives: Know the salary trends in your state. First officers in Mississippi earn about $126,800, while those in D.C. earn around $157,400. When asking for a raise, mention your flight hours, flight training, clean FAA record, or certifications in navigation or emergency procedures.
- Work in high-paying industry: Your industry can greatly affect your pay. First officers in couriers, express delivery, and scheduled air transportation earn $239,200 or more, while those in nonscheduled air transportation make about $226,870. In comparison, federal government roles pay around $130,980.
- Choose a major airline: Major airlines also offer high pay. Southwest Airlines pilots, United Airlines pilots, and American Airlines pilots often earn more since they work in scheduled air transportation, one of the top-paying sectors.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 9, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for first officers in the United States is 127,437.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$142,200 /year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$75,665 /year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$162,950 /year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$95,000 /year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$161,372 /year
