American Airlines pilot salary is set by the Allied Pilots Association (APA) contract and paid hourly, with rates varying by fleet (pay band) and seniority. AA pilots approved a four-year deal in August 2023 that delivered an immediate ~21% raise and scheduled increases through 2026; the total value was reported at ~$9.6B. That deal established the 2024–2026 pay tables now used to estimate what First Officers (FOs) and Captains actually earn in 2025.
At a national level, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $226,600 (May 2024), but top seniority at the Big-3 (American, Delta, United) and widebody flying often exceed those median figures when you add overrides and premium trips.
American Airlines First Officer Salary (2025)
The 2025 APA pay tables show FO Year-1 base pay around ~$118/hour, increasing by seniority step and aircraft pay band (narrowbody vs long-range narrowbody vs widebody). These are contractual base rates before adding per diem, international/long-haul overrides, and any premium sequences.
How that converts to annual pay: pilots are paid for block hours. Most lineholders plan with a 75–85 hours/month range for quick estimates. For example:
-
FO Year-1 (2025): $118/hr × 75–85 hr × 12 ≈ $106,000–$120,000 (base wage only).
-
FO pay accelerates with year-of-service steps and with moves to higher pay bands (e.g., long-range narrowbody, widebody).
Typical FO monthly hours (for estimating)
While monthly credit varies by base, bid, season, and PBS construction, using ~75–85 hours is a reasonable planning range when converting hourly tables to annual figures.
American Airlines Captain Salary (by Fleet & Seniority)
Captains earn materially higher hourly rates. On the 2025 tables, narrowbody captains are commonly in the $300s/hour at mid-to-higher steps, while widebody captains (e.g., 787/777 pay bands) sit significantly higher—top steps exceed $450/hr in the 2025–2026 tables. Exact values depend on fleet pay band and years in seat.
Illustrative annualization (base only):
-
NB Captain (mid-seniority): $360/hr × 75–85 hr × 12 ≈ $324k–$367k
-
WB Captain (senior step): $450/hr × 75–85 hr × 12 ≈ $405k–$459k
These figures exclude overrides, per diem, or premium pay. Use the tables + your expected block hours to refine a realistic range.
Upgrade timeline & seniority
Upgrading from FO to Captain depends on vacancies, fleet needs, and seniority (governed by the CBA’s bidding and training rules). Your first year as a new Captain sits on the Year-1 Captain rate for your fleet, then steps annually. (See “Pay—Hourly Pay Rates” in the APA document.)
What Boosts Take-Home Pay at American (beyond the base rate)
The contract defines several adders that raise total compensation:
-
International Override:
-
Captains: $6.50/hour for each hour of international flying actually performed
-
First Officers: $4.50/hour for each hour of international flying actually performed
-
-
Narrowbody Long-Haul Override (NB-LR):
-
Captains: $8.00/hour
-
First Officers: $6.00/hour
Applies to eligible narrowbody flying to Europe, South America (south of the equator), and Hawaii.
-
-
Premium Pay Sequences:
The company may designate sequences at +50%, +75%, or +100% beyond your base hourly rate (and includes international override where applicable), per Section 15. -
Per Diem & Adjustments:
Per diem is set and annually adjusted by a government M&IE index; see Section 7 for per diem provisions and adjustments.
Pro tip: In certain long-range narrowbody cases (e.g., A321XLR to Europe), the contract clarifies stacking of the international override plus the NB-LR override on eligible block time.
2025 Hourly → Annual Quick-Math Table
Rule of thumb only. Uses base hourly × planned monthly hours × 12. Add per diem, overrides, premium pay to reflect real schedules.
| Scenario (illustrative) | Hourly | 75 hr/mo | 80 hr/mo | 85 hr/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FO Year-1 (narrowbody) | $118 | $106,200 | $113,280 | $120,360 |
| FO mid-seniority (long-range NB) | $140 | $126,000 | $134,400 | $142,800 |
| Captain mid-seniority (NB) | $360 | $324,000 | $345,600 | $367,200 |
| Captain senior (WB) | $450 | $405,000 | $432,000 | $459,000 |
Source tables for hourly references and step increases: APA 2024–2026 pay tables.
American vs Delta vs United: Where Does AA Sit Today?
American’s 2023 agreement aimed to keep AA competitive with Delta and United, featuring the well-reported ~21% immediate raise and multi-year step-ups. Multiple reputable outlets confirm the raise structure and parity intent.
Practically, comparable fleet/seniority across the Big-3 now yields broadly similar base rates, with differences emerging from bid opportunities, premium flying, and network.
Benefits and Total Compensation (the bigger picture)
Base hourly pay is only one part of total comp. The CBA and company plans also cover retirement contributions/401(k), health benefits, paid vacation, training pay/credits, and profit-sharing improvements referenced in the 2023 deal language. Your annual total can materially exceed base when you include per diem, overrides, and premium credit in high-demand periods.
Benchmark context: The BLS reflects national medians and doesn’t isolate Big-3 senior widebody roles, which is why you’ll often see pilots at major carriers earning well beyond the median.
How to Maximize Earnings at AA (career tactics)
-
Bid for international / long-range narrowbody pairings when eligible to collect the applicable $/hr overrides.
-
Track premium sequences (50/75/100%) during holidays/coverage gaps—these can significantly lift your month.
-
Seniority strategy: weigh the value of moving to a higher-pay fleet vs building seniority in seat (scheduling quality, days off, and consistent hours also matter).
FAQs
How much does a new American Airlines First Officer make in 2025?
The 2025 tables put FO Year-1 around ~$118/hr base. At 75–85 hours/month, that’s roughly $106k–$120k before per diem/overrides/premium. Always reference the current APA table for your fleet and step.
How much does an American Airlines Captain make?
It depends on fleet and seniority. Using 2025 tables, NB Captains often annualize into the low-to-mid $300Ks at common monthly hour ranges; WB Captains can land well above $400k with higher hourly and adders.
What are the international and long-range narrowbody overrides?
International: $6.50/hr (Captain) and $4.50/hr (FO). Long-range narrowbody: $8/hr (Captain) and $6/hr (FO)—and they can stack on eligible trips.
How are “premium” sequences paid?
The company can designate premium trips paying +50%, +75% or +100% over your base rate (international override still applies when relevant).
How many hours do AA pilots fly per month?
It varies by schedule and base; many salary guides use ~75–85 hours/month for planning.
I’m an aeronautical engineer (B1.1 License), a fan of travel, technology, and entrepreneurship. I’m also interested in writing and programming.