Pilots’ paychecks vary depending on the airline they work for and the hours they’ve flown in a given year. According to an American Airlines captain’s pay stub that was shared on social media, the earning potential of pilots is so high that it will make most people rethink their career path. The pay stub shows the American Airlines captain’s annual salary is a jaw-dropping $458,000. Part of the reason they earn as much as they do is because of their high hourly wage, which on average is around $360. Captains of planes as massive as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 can earn up to $450 an hour. Considering the average pilot flies around 900 hours a year — 75 hours a month — that’s one fat paycheck they earn. However, many commenters on social media said they don’t envy the pilots having to deal with horrible schedules, airports, angry passengers, hotel stays, and the delays that are a normal part of their job.
