Most commercial pilots start their pilot career at the Regional Airlines. What is the salary for a regional airline pilot in 2026? Use this chart to compare the first-year pay of a pilot at each regional airline. Take a look at how much the starting pay is the first year of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Compare the effective first-year pay, bonuses and what path each Regional Airline has to the Major Airlines.
Effective First Year Pay: Average salary of guaranteed hours, including per diem.
Bonuses: Received first year of employment, including various types of bonuses and upgrades.
| Regional Airline | First Year Pay | First Year Bonus | = |
Total Pilot Salary | Career Track to Major Airline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$103,416 | $0 | = |
$103,416 | ||
|
$91,508 | $0 | = |
$91,508 |
|
|
|
$111,492 | $0 | = |
$111,492 |
|
|
|
$110,428 | $0 | = |
$110,428 |
|
|
|
$100,419 | $0 | = |
$100,419 |
|
|
|
$99,900 | $0 | = |
$99,900 |
|
|
|
$115,062 | $0 | = |
$115,062 |
|
|
|
$111,684 | $0 | = |
$111,684 |
|
|
|
$111,180 | $0 | = |
$111,180 |
|
|
|
$99,297 | $0 | = |
$99,297 | ||
|
$106,170 | $5,000 | = |
$111,170 | ||
| View Program Details for Each on Their Individual Airline's Page. | ||||||
Airline-Backed Career Tracks help develop and mentor student pilots during flight school and as they work toward meeting airline pilot experience and flight hour requirements. Once you have decided what airline you would like to fly for, you typically then participate in the airline's Career Track program or the Career Track program of their regional airline. These programs vary by airline and include United Aviate, SkyWest Airlines Pilot Career Track Program (Career Track to Delta Air Lines), Envoy Air Cadet Program (Career Track to American Airlines), and more.
A regional airline operates shorter-distance flights on behalf of a major airline, connecting smaller cities to large hub airports. Regional airlines fly smaller aircraft, carry the major airline’s branding, and provide a common first step for pilots building experience before advancing to a major airline.
