United Airlines Pilot Salary: Pay Scale, Benefits, and Hiring Requirements
United Airlines, Inc. operates as a major airline in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United actively manages a vast domestic and international route network, spanning the U.S. and all six inhabited continents.
How much can I earn as a United Airlines pilot?
The average pay for a pilot at United Airlines in 2025 is $248,118 per year. Read on to learn more!
Hiring Requirements & Pay: United Airlines determines wages for both captain and first officer by skills, experience, and the number of flight hours logged. As an applicant, it’s beneficial to compare the entry-level pilot salary with the industry average to grasp the full potential of a United Airlines career.
What is the pilot pay for United Airlines in 2025?
Here is a sampling of United pilot hourly wages. Pilot pay changes based on various factors, such as type of plane, years of experience, etc. For instance, this is for the Airbus 320.
| United Airlines First Officer Pay | United Airlines Captain Pay |
| Starting: $91 | Starting: $260 |
| Average: $176 | Average: $270 |
| Top: $193 | Top: $283 |
Watch Our 6-Minute United Airlines Pilot Salary & Hiring Requirements Video!
How are the benefits at United Airlines?
Benefits Beyond Salary: Many ask, “How much do United pilots earn?” While the salary is highly competitive, United also offers a wealth of other benefits. From flexible schedules to paid time off, the advantages extend well beyond mere compensation. United Airlines offers a competitive compensation package with benefits. These include, but are not limited to:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Accident insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance
- Paid holidays
- Defined contribution plan
- Travel privileges
How your dream takes flight: Becoming a pilot for United Airlines
- Understanding United Airlines Careers: United, a premier carrier based in Chicago, IL, offers pilot careers with industry-leading benefits. When considering a position with United Airlines, understanding the hiring criteria, salary scales, and additional perks is key. Best of all, United Airlines is a partner airline with Epic. You can go from training at Epic to United through the Aviate Program.
- Preparing for Your Application: Beyond just salary inquiries, researching all facets of the job, from requirements to additional perks, is crucial. Consider attending United Airlines job fairs or career expos for deeper insights. Before your interview, a review of the United Airlines company website can provide valuable context.
United Airlines Hiring Requirements Overview
Type of airline: U.S. Passenger
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Hubs:
- Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
- Denver (DEN)
- Guam (GUM)
- Houston (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Newark/New York (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Washington-Dulles (IAD)
- Service to 342 destinations
Fleet: Currently, United Airlines has 854 aircraft, which includes the Boeing 737 MAX 10, B737 MAX 8, and Airbus A321
Origin: The company started in 1926 as Varney Air Lines.
Values: Safe, caring, dependable, and efficient (core4 service behaviors)
What are the hiring requirements for United Airlines careers?
First Officer Job Requirements:
United Airlines is looking for talented pilots who:
- Reflect the company’s leadership qualities – These include your ability to model character, think creatively, get results, and model teamwork.
- Share United’s commitment to core values
- Demonstrate a passion for aviation and an ongoing commitment to excellence and achievement
Certification Requirements:
- Unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) (with airplane multiengine rating)
- Current FAA first-class medical certificate
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)
Flight Time Requirements:
- 1,500 hours total time (minimum)
- 1,000 hours total time (minimum)
- A minimum of 100 hours of flight time within the last 12 months is preferred
General Requirements:
- Passport – Current with a minimum of 6 months remaining at time of hire
- Legally able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
- Able to travel freely with the U.S. and without restrictions to all countries where United flies
- High school graduate or GED
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school (preferred, not required for FO position). Note: All foreign transcripts need to be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and overall authenticity
- International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever (Yellow Card)
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 must be presented to interview and again on the first day of employment.
- Punctual and reliable attendance. Availability without any planned absences during the first 12 weeks of employment.
Fleet:
- A319
- A320
- A321
- A321 Transcon
- A321neo
- Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX
- Boeing 777-200
- Boeing 777-300 ER
- Boeing 787-8
- Boeing 787-9
- CRJ-200
- CRJ-700
- CRJ-900
- ERJ-145
- ERJ-170
- ERJ-175
Contact:
If you have questions about the hiring process at United Airlines, reach out to them!
Homepage: United Airlines
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
United Careers: Overview
We have tried to provide the most accurate information here regarding hiring requirements for commercial airlines, we encourage you to contact the airline you’re interested in working for directly to verify employment requirements. Learn how much you can earn as a pilot, and learn exactly how to become a pilot. We wish you great success as an airline pilot and hope you land your dream job! Before you fill out that job application, you will need flight training. If you are interested in pursuing a flying career with United Airlines and are interested in receiving your training at our flight school in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, please contact us today!
United Airlines in the News
United Airlines is a newsmaker in the aviation industry. If you are interested in flying for United, we encourage you to keep up with current events at the company.
- February 4, 2025 – PR Newswire: United to restart service to Tel Aviv, Israel
- September 13, 2024 – CNBC: United to offer passengers free WiFi via Starlink
- August 31, 2024 – Simple Flying: United to Open 20,000 sq. ft. Training Center Near Washington Dulles
- December 18, 2023 – Cleveland 19: United announces new flights from Cleveland to Phoenix, Las Vegas
- December 14, 2023 – CBS News: United Airlines preparing for record holiday rush
- November 30, 2023 – CNBC: United Airlines CEO on holiday travel: ‘Probably the best operational year’ in 20 years
Airlines! If you have an update for your hiring requirements, please submit them to us! Thank you for helping us keep your information current!
Join the Forum Discussion on United Airlines Below!
Dear Epic, I hope you are well and that the skies are clear for flying and the airstrip is fit for landing. My name is Vivek Bhavesh Gohil. I am a 17-year-old student from Tanzania, currently finishing my PPL in South Africa in December 2023. I will have obtained an ICOA PPL license before the end of 2023 and currently hold 35 hours of dual flight hours and 10 hours of solo. I also attend the United World College East Africa, Arusha Campus, and am currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate system. I am outgoing and adventurous. I have been passionate about flying since the time I was pointing and shouting at airplanes in the sky in the hope that they’d hear me and getting fed airplanes in my high chair. I also play golf for the Tanzanian national team and love the sport. As a young pilot in training, I am writing to explore opportunities within your College of Aviation to further my ongoing ambition to become a commercial pilot. I am halfway through the Diploma program and just started my 2nd semester in Diploma 2. I am currently finishing my PPL in South Africa and looking ahead to develop my training in aviation through your college. I understand that your institution can provide me with the training I need to become a commercial airline pilot and a rated instructor. After looking through your website there are a few questions that I would like to ask. Could you please outline the post-graduation requirements and job opportunities available for international students, such as myself, at your college? What various scholarship opportunities and financial aid options are offered for international students attending your institution? Can you elaborate on your approach to facilitating financial aid for international students, and what steps should one take to avail these resources? Is a recommendation letter necessary as part of the application process for international students? Could you provide insights into the enrollment requirements for international students at your college? What are your deadlines for applications for international students if any? Are there specific exams, like the SAT, Common App, or essays, that international students need to take to fulfill the prerequisites for enrollment at your college or university?
Where and how do I get to your application in order for me to enroll in your college and what is required? I am interested in pursuing the following aviation courses:
Instrument Rating
Night Rating
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Multi-Engine Ratings
Instructor's Rating
Potentially, an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) as well. I have several additional inquiries and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage in a more detailed conversation with one of your institution's representatives. A potential Zoom meeting would be highly beneficial, allowing us to delve into the available opportunities, discuss associated costs, and gain a clearer understanding of the application process. Your assistance in providing comprehensive information will be pivotal in guiding my decisions and ensuring a well-informed approach to any potential involvement with your institution. I look forward to your reply and thank you for your time and consideration. Have a good day. Kind regards, Vivek Bhavesh Gohil.
I am a graduate of Theatre Arts from Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria, with a deep passion for aviation and a strong desire to pursue a career as a pilot. Despite my academic background in the arts, I am determined to transition into the aviation field and fully commit to the rigorous training and discipline the profession demands. Currently residing in Nigeria, I am fortunate to have a dedicated sponsor based in Florida, USA, who is financially capable and fully willing to support me throughout the entire duration of my flight training program in the United States. I would also like to inquire if, as a Nigerian graduate from an English-speaking university, I will still be required to provide proof of English proficiency, such as the TOEFL or SAT, as part of the application or enrollment process. Though my university degree is in a non-science field, I am confident in my ability to meet the academic and technical demands of flight training. I am eager to know if I still stand a chance of being admitted into a reputable flight school in the U.S. and what additional steps I might need to take to strengthen my application.
I am writing to inquire about the availability of your institution's programs in Nigeria. As a resident of Lagos, I am interested in exploring opportunities for training and education with your esteemed organization. However, upon reviewing your website, I noticed that your campus locations appear to be situated in the United States. I was wondering if you have any affiliate campuses or partnerships with institutions in Nigeria, specifically in Lagos, that would enable me to pursue my educational goals with your organization. I would appreciate any information you can provide regarding this matter, including details about potential programs, admission requirements, and campus locations in Nigeria. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
If I reach in the United States how will I begin training and who will train me
Since I am not a citizen of the United States and I am very much interested in this opportunity, can I get assistance financially to make the best of this chance?
Subject: Inquiry About Study Opportunities for International Students from Denmark Dear Epic Flight Academy My name is Lukas, and I am from Denmark. I am very interested in pursuing flight training at your school and would like to learn more about the opportunities available for international students like myself. Specifically, I would like to inquire about: 1. The admission requirements for students from Denmark.
2. Visa and immigration processes related to studying in the United States.
3. The structure of your training programs and any prerequisites.
4. Accommodation options and living arrangements near your school. I am eager to explore the possibility of training at your esteemed institution and would greatly appreciate any guidance or resources you can provide to help me better understand the steps required to apply. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response. Best regards, Lukas Malik Waagstein Rasmussen [email protected] +45 20 94 56 15
I would like to know if the school offers full scholarship for people who are outside the United States if so what are the requirements?
Is this scholarship for international students or just for only United States students?
I am from the Philippines and have graduated as an aircraft mechanic. I am eager to start my career in aviation and ready to seize any opportunities that come my way. Could you please assist me with the necessary documents for enrolling in a program in the United States? I am open to working part-time if needed, but I’m unsure where to begin.
1. My goal is to build 1,500 flight hours to get a job with an FSC (such as United Airlines) and become a great asset to your school. I would appreciate it if you could let me know what I need to prepare to achieve this goal. 2. I understand that obtaining an F-1 visa is possible. Is this correct? Additionally, I aim to prepare for a career with an FSC (such as United Airlines). Although I am a foreigner, I want to overcome this limitation. If you can assist me, I will repay you with passion and effort. Thank you.
