Last Updated: February 2026 | Data sourced from BLS, Glassdoor, Salary.com, AirlinePilotCentral & verified aviation industry reports
Quick Answer: How Much Do Pilots Make in Texas?
The average airline pilot salary in Texas is $166,601–$169,841 per year in 2026, with a typical range of $127,000–$238,000 depending on experience, airline, and position. Entry-level first officers start around $90,000–$106,000. Senior captains at Southwest Airlines and American Airlines — both headquartered in Texas — earn $300,000–$460,000 or more annually.
| Pilot Type | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Officer (Regional) | $70,000–$90,000 | $90,000–$130,000 | $130,000–$180,000 |
| First Officer (Major Airline) | $90,000–$106,000 | $130,000–$180,000 | $180,000–$240,000 |
| Captain (Major Airline) | $220,000–$280,000 | $280,000–$360,000 | $360,000–$460,000+ |
| Southwest Airlines Pilot | $106,000–$150,000 | $200,000–$290,000 | $311,000–$347,000+ |
| American Airlines Pilot | $90,000–$106,000 | $200,000–$320,000 | $405,000–$460,000+ |
| Corporate Pilot (Texas) | $80,000–$110,000 | $110,000–$160,000 | $160,000–$250,000 |
| Helicopter Pilot (Texas) | $60,000–$80,000 | $85,000–$110,000 | $120,000–$175,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor Feb 2026, Salary.com Jan 2026, AviationA2Z, AirlinePilotCentral, BLS 2025 Occupational Data
Why Texas Is One of the Most Important Aviation Markets in America
Texas is home to two of the world’s largest airline headquarters. Southwest Airlines operates from Dallas Love Field, and American Airlines is based in Fort Worth at DFW — the fourth-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. United Airlines runs a major hub at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). That’s three legacy or major carriers headquartered or centrally anchored in a single state.
Add to that: Texas has zero state income tax. A captain earning $350,000 in Texas takes home significantly more than the same captain earning $350,000 in California or New York after state taxes. This is a real financial advantage that rarely gets discussed in salary guides, and it matters enormously over a 20–30-year career.
Despite all of this, Texas ranks near the bottom nationally for average pilot salary when you blend all pilot types together. That seems contradictory, but the reason is straightforward: national pay scales from major airlines don’t vary by state. What changes is your cost of living, tax burden, and access to high-frequency routes — all of which favor Texas heavily.
How Pilot Pay Actually Works?
Before diving into numbers, it’s worth understanding how airline pilots are actually compensated — because the structure is different from almost every other profession.
Airline pilots don’t receive a flat annual salary. They’re paid an hourly rate based on flight time, defined as the period from when the aircraft begins moving under its own power through to when it stops after landing. The FAA caps airline pilot flight time at 1,000 hours per year, but contracts typically guarantee a monthly minimum — usually 70–90 hours per month — even if a pilot flies fewer hours than that.
Beyond the base hourly rate, total compensation includes several components that most salary websites don’t capture:
Per diem allowances are paid for every hour a pilot is away from their domicile — typically $2.50–$4.50 per hour. On a 12-day international trip, this alone adds $500–$1,000 to a paycheck, tax-advantaged.
Premium pay covers open trips, holiday flying, and extended duty periods. Pilots who pick up extra trips during peak periods can meaningfully increase their annual total.
Profit sharing is significant at Texas carriers. Southwest distributed profit-sharing bonuses worth 10–20% of annual salary in strong financial years. American and United have comparable programs.
Retirement contributions are exceptionally generous. Southwest contributes 18% of pilot wages into retirement from January 2026 (up from 17%), plus an additional 2% market-based plan contribution. American Airlines matches 5.5% on 401(k) contributions.
Travel benefits — free or deeply discounted standby travel for pilots and immediate family — add real, tangible value that doesn’t show up in base salary figures.
When you add all of this up, total compensation routinely exceeds base pay by 20–35%. A Southwest captain showing $311,000 in base pay may have a total compensation package worth $380,000–$420,000 per year.
Airline Pilot Salary in Texas: Breakdown by Carrier
Southwest Airlines — Headquartered at Dallas Love Field
Southwest is the largest domestic carrier in the U.S. and one of the most financially stable. Their pilot contract, negotiated by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), is structured around a per-segment pay system rather than traditional hourly rates.
First officers at Southwest typically earn $106,000–$150,000 at entry level, rising to around $229,000 with experience. Captains start around $311,000 in base pay, with senior captains exceeding $347,000 annually — and many surpassing $400,000 when profit sharing and additional flying are factored in.
Southwest locked in a 4% pay increase effective January 1, 2026, with further 4% increases scheduled for 2027 and 2028 under their current contract. The retirement contribution jumping from 17% to 18% in 2026 makes the total package even more compelling.
One structural advantage worth noting: Southwest operates exclusively Boeing 737s. There’s no pay difference by aircraft type, and scheduling is more predictable than at multi-fleet carriers. For pilots who want strong compensation alongside a stable, manageable lifestyle, Southwest is consistently one of the most sought-after employers in U.S. aviation.
American Airlines — Headquartered at Fort Worth (DFW)
American Airlines is the world’s largest airline by passengers carried, with DFW serving as its primary hub. Its pilot workforce operates across narrow-body and wide-body fleets — and that distinction matters enormously for pay.
First officers start at approximately $90,000–$106,000 per year in narrow-body operations (Boeing 737, Airbus A320 family), rising to $222,000 or more as seniority and aircraft transitions occur. Captains on narrow-body aircraft earn $291,600–$369,000 annually in base pay. Wide-body captains command significantly more — hourly rates of $450–$510 per hour translate to $405,000–$460,000 in annual base pay, with senior pilots on the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 exceeding $500,000 in total compensation.
These aren’t hypothetical figures. A Boeing 737 captain publicly shared earnings of $457,894 for 2025, confirming that what was once considered aspirational is now a documented reality at American Airlines. Contract escalators through 2027 mean those rates will only climb further.
United Airlines — Houston Hub (IAH)
United operates one of its largest hubs at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with dense international routes to Latin America, Europe, and Asia. International flying commands premium pay, making IAH one of United’s highest-earning bases for pilots.
United first officers earn $80,000–$120,000 at entry, with senior captains on wide-body international routes earning $300,000–$400,000+. United pilots ratified new contracts in September 2023 totaling $10 billion in raises — one of the most significant aviation labor agreements in the industry’s recent history — and those escalators are still flowing through the pay tables.
Regional Airlines Operating in Texas
Before reaching the majors, most pilots spend 3–5 years at regional carriers building hours and seniority. In Texas, the primary regionals include Envoy Air (an American Eagle subsidiary operating out of DFW), SkyWest Airlines, and Endeavor Air.
| Carrier | Type | First Year FO | Captain (Avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Air (American Eagle) | Regional | $75,000–$90,000 | $100,000–$140,000 |
| SkyWest Airlines | Regional | ~$90,900 (Year 1) | $120,000–$160,000 |
| Endeavor Air (Delta regional) | Regional | $78,000–$95,000 | $115,000–$145,000 |
| JSX (Dallas-based Part 135) | Charter | $90,000–$130,000 | $140,000–$200,000 |
Signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and retention bonuses are now standard at most regional carriers — pushing first-year total compensation well above the base figures shown above.
Pilot Salary by City in Texas
While airline pay scales are national, your assigned pilot base affects the quality, frequency, and type of trips available — which directly influences total annual earnings. Here’s how the major Texas metros compare:
| City | Avg Airline Pilot Salary | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Houston (IAH/HOU) | $170,401/yr | United hub, cargo ops, offshore aviation gateway |
| Dallas (DFW) | $168,701/yr | American Airlines HQ, massive international hub |
| Austin (AUS) | $169,101/yr | Fast-growing market, Southwest & United service |
| Fort Worth | $168,601/yr | American Airlines headquarters city |
| San Antonio (SAT) | $155,000–$165,000/yr | Military-to-airline pipeline, Southwest service |
| El Paso (ELP) | $150,000–$158,000/yr | Smaller market, regional focus |
Houston consistently reports the highest average salaries among Texas cities, largely because United’s IAH hub concentrates international flying — which carries premium pay — in that market. The gap between Houston and Dallas is modest in percentage terms, but over a 20-year career it compounds meaningfully.
Specialized Aviation Careers in Texas: Helicopter, Corporate & Cargo
Helicopter Pilots and the Gulf of Mexico Opportunity
Texas has something no other state can quite replicate: direct access to the Gulf of Mexico offshore oil and gas industry. Companies like PHI Aviation, Bristow Group, and Era Helicopters hire offshore helicopter pilots to transport crews to and from oil platforms in the Gulf. This is technically demanding, physically challenging work in demanding weather — and it pays accordingly.
Offshore helicopter pilots in the Gulf of Mexico earn $120,000–$175,000 annually, with some senior offshore captains reporting total compensation above $200,000. The statewide average for helicopter pilots sits at $91,318–$96,525 per year, but that figure blends in tour pilots and entry-level operators who pull the average down significantly. EMS helicopter pilots in Texas — hired by operators like Air Methods — start around $95,000, often with relocation bonuses included.
If you hold an ATP certificate, turbine time, and IFR and NVG ratings, the offshore market in Texas is genuinely one of the highest-paying helicopter niches in North America.
Corporate and Business Aviation
Texas is home to an extraordinary concentration of Fortune 500 companies — including ExxonMobil, AT&T, Dell Technologies, and American Airlines Group — many of which operate dedicated private flight departments. Corporate pilots in Texas typically earn $110,000–$250,000, depending on aircraft type, fleet complexity, and seniority within the flight department. Fractional ownership operators like FlexJet, headquartered in the Dallas area, have advertised experienced ATP-rated corporate pilot positions at $140,000 to start, with upward trajectory tied to aircraft upgrades and tenure.
Cargo Aviation
FedEx operates a major regional hub at Fort Worth Meacham Airport. UPS and Amazon Air also have substantial Texas operations. Cargo pilots follow different scheduling norms — primarily overnight, with reduced public-facing demands — but compensation is competitive. FedEx senior captains are among the highest-paid aviators in the industry, with total compensation exceeding $350,000 at top seniority, rivaling legacy airline wide-body captain pay.
How to Become a Pilot in Texas: Licensing, Flight Hours & Costs
The path to an airline career in Texas follows the same FAA certification framework as everywhere in the U.S., but Texas has distinct advantages: year-round favorable flying weather, a dense flight school network, and direct access to major airline hiring pipelines through regional carriers that specifically feed DFW and IAH.
The career path, step by step:
Private Pilot License (PPL): Minimum 40 FAA-required hours, typically 60–70 in practice. Covers basic aircraft control, navigation, and weather decision-making. Cost: $8,000–$15,000.
Instrument Rating (IR): Adds 50+ hours of simulated and actual instrument flying. Teaches pilots to operate in low-visibility conditions using cockpit instruments alone. Cost: $8,000–$12,000. Non-negotiable for any professional aviation path.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Requires 250 total flight hours. This is the certificate that legally permits a pilot to be compensated for flying. Cost: $20,000–$35,000.
Multi-Engine Rating: Required for turbine aircraft and virtually all professional flying jobs. Cost: $5,000–$10,000.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Most pilots spend 1–2 years instructing to build hours toward the ATP minimum, while getting paid to fly.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): The FAA’s highest pilot certificate. Requires 1,500 total hours (reduced to 1,000 for graduates of accredited aviation degree programs). This is the required certificate to serve as captain at a Part 121 airline.
Regional Airline First Officer: The first paying airline job. Pilots build seniority here and, through flow-through agreements with majors, transition to American, United, or Delta.
Major Airline Captain: Typically reached 5–10 years into a career, though the current pilot shortage is compressing that timeline significantly.
Total training cost runs $80,000–$120,000 on an accelerated path. A senior captain earning $350,000+ per year recoups that investment within the first few months of flying at top scale.
Top flight schools in Texas: ATP Flight School (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin), Texas A&M University aviation program, SkyWarrior Aviation (DFW metro), and Central Texas College in Killeen — which has an especially strong military-to-civilian pipeline.
Texas Pilot Salary Outlook: 2026–2030
The pilot shortage that began reshaping aviation compensation in 2021–2022 is structural, not cyclical. Boeing projects demand for 649,000 new pilots globally over the next 20 years. The BLS projects 6% annual job growth for U.S. pilots through 2031, driven by retirements, fleet expansion, and post-pandemic travel demand that has held stronger than most economists predicted.
Southwest alone is projecting 378 mandatory pilot retirements in 2026, rising to 399 in 2027 and 395 in 2028. American and United face near-identical retirement curves. These openings pull pilots up through seniority faster than at any point in aviation history — first officers are upgrading to captain in 18–36 months at some carriers, a timeline that previously took a decade or more.
For Texas specifically, the expansion of DFW’s Sixth Terminal (approved under American’s new lease agreement) and United’s continued international growth at IAH signals sustained, multi-year hiring. This isn’t a temporary boom. It’s a structural shift in the labor market that pilots entering training today will benefit from for the entirety of their careers.
| Year | Projected Avg Major Airline Pilot Salary | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $226,600 (BLS median) | Post-shortage contract normalization |
| 2027 | $240,000–$255,000 | Contract escalators at AA, Southwest, United |
| 2028 | $255,000–$270,000 | Fleet expansion, continued retirements |
| 2030 | $270,000–$300,000+ | Generational pilot shortage at peak |
Read Also: Pilot Salary in California 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an airline pilot make in Texas per year?
The average airline pilot salary in Texas is $166,601–$169,841 per year as of 2026, based on Salary.com and Glassdoor data. The range runs from around $127,000 (25th percentile) to $237,778 (75th percentile), with top earners exceeding $310,000. That average blends all pilot types — including entry-level regional first officers — so major airline pilots at Southwest and American earn substantially above it.
Why is the Texas pilot salary ranking low despite having two major airline HQs?
This is one of the most misunderstood points about pilot compensation. Airline pay scales are national, not state-specific. A Southwest captain in Dallas earns the same as a Southwest captain in Denver.
The lower state average reflects the blending of all pilot types into a single number. Importantly, Texas’s zero state income tax means pilots keep more of what they earn here than in California, New York, or Illinois — a financial advantage worth tens of thousands per year at senior pay levels.
Do Southwest Airlines pilots make more than American Airlines pilots?
At the captain level, they’re broadly comparable with meaningful nuance. Southwest captains average $311,000–$347,000+ in base pay. American Airlines captains on narrow-body aircraft earn $291,600–$369,000, while wide-body captains earn $405,000–$460,000+ in base pay.
American’s top earners exceed Southwest’s because of wide-body pay premiums on long-haul international routes. However, Southwest’s retirement contributions, profit sharing, and schedule predictability make the total compensation package highly competitive with American at comparable seniority.
What is the entry-level pilot salary in Texas?
New first officers at regional carriers operating Texas routes typically earn $70,000–$90,000 in their first year. At major airlines like Southwest and American, first-year first officers start at $90,000–$106,000. With the ongoing pilot shortage, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and retention incentives are now standard at regional carriers, pushing first-year total compensation above $100,000 in many cases.
Is Texas a good state to pursue a pilot career?
Yes, compellingly so. Two major airline headquarters create a deep job market and direct hiring pipeline. Year-round flying weather accelerates training timelines. Zero state income tax significantly improves take-home pay at every career level.
The Gulf of Mexico offshore helicopter market is unique to Texas and the Gulf Coast and pays exceptionally well. And the cost of living in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio is substantially lower than comparable aviation markets in California, New York, or the Pacific Northwest. For aspiring pilots and experienced aviators considering relocation, Texas makes one of the strongest financial arguments of any state in the country. For more information, visit crewdaily.com.
All salary figures are drawn from publicly verifiable sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, AirlinePilotCentral, and AviationA2Z. Where sources differ, we have noted the range and explained the variation. Pilot compensation is complex and multi-variable — no single average captures the full picture.
