Based on available information, the highest paid pilot job appears to be that of a senior widebody captain at major airlines.
Understanding Top Pilot Salaries
According to FLYING Magazine, while airline pilot pay is influenced by factors like seniority and the specific aircraft flown, senior widebody captains working for large airlines can earn significant salaries. These top-tier pilots can potentially make upward of $500,000 per year.
The reference highlights that this level of compensation is typically found at major carriers. Other substantial carriers, such as Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, are also noted for offering very competitive pay scales for their pilots.
It's important to remember that reaching this high level of pay requires substantial experience and seniority, often involving years of service and progression through different aircraft types and captain ranks. The specific salary achieved will depend on the airline's pay scales, the pilot's seniority, the type of aircraft flown (widebody aircraft generally pay more due to size and routes), and the number of hours flown.
