KLM, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, holds a long-standing reputation in Europe and beyond for its full-service operations, extensive network from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and its position within the Air France-KLM group.
For pilots looking at a career in Europe with a legacy airline, KLM remains one of the best airlines. And the question often asked is: how much do KLM pilots earn? Here’s a rundown of what the numbers look like in 2025, along with benefits, requirements, and the hiring process.
KLM Pilot Salary in 2025
In 2025, KLM’s pilot salary structure continues to reflect European market standards, combining a fixed monthly salary with flight pay, allowances, and benefits. While not as high as Gulf or U.S. carriers, KLM’s pay is supported by strong job security, predictable rosters, and a desirable European base in Amsterdam Schiphol. This makes KLM an attractive employer for both homegrown and international aviators.
Moreover, at KLM, pilot pay is defined by the collective labour agreement. This means salary depends on age, seniority (period of employment), aircraft type, and rank.
KLM First Officer Salary
KLM First Officers in 2025 begin their careers on a structured pay scale that increases substantially after type-rating completion and early experience. Upon joining KLM, before completing type training, First Officers earn between €3,300 to €5,500 per month (around $3,630 to $6,050). Once the type rating is completed and flight hours accumulate, First Officers progress to a higher salary band of €5,500 to €8,300 per month ($6,050 to $9,130).
On an annual basis, KLM First Officers earn between €40,000 and €100,000 per year ($43,500 to $110,000) depending on the aircraft type, block hours, and long-haul or short-haul rosters. While these numbers fall within typical European legacy-carrier pay levels, the long-haul allowances at KLM push the upper range significantly for those operating the widebody fleet of Boeing 777s and 787s.
KLM Captain Salary
KLM Captains earn one of the highly competitive salaries among European carriers, with pay driven by seniority and aircraft types. In 2025, new Captains can expect monthly earnings of around €12,500 per month ($13,750). With seniority, long-haul flying, and operation of widebody aircraft, salary also increases to €20,000 per month or more ($22,000).
In short, experienced KLM Captains earn between €150,000 to €240,000+ per year ($165,000 to $264,000+). The final figure varies based on flight-hour pay, international allowances, duty-day premiums, and seasonal widebody operations. This positioning keeps KLM Captains among the higher-earning pilots in continental Europe.
Benefits & Allowances Offered by KLM
Beyond the headline salary numbers, several benefits and allowances make the total package at KLM more attractive:
- Allowances while away from base: When on layovers, pilots receive per-diem or mission allowances to cover accommodation, meals and incidental costs.
- Travel perks: KLM pilots and their families often enjoy discounted or standby travel on KLM. This also includes partner airlines, including preferential upgrades when available.
- Pension and retirement scheme: Pilots are covered by company pension contributions alongside governmental retirement frameworks, aiding financial security for the longer term.
- Structured rosters & leave: Pilots receive scheduled rest periods and paid leave. This also gives them time away from flying and the chance to plan personal life around the job.
- Profit sharing & bonuses: Seniors may also benefit from performance-based bonuses or profit-sharing arrangements, depending on the company’s financial performance.
- Career progression: Training, type-rating funding, and upsides to move from First Officer to Captain are integrated into KLM’s career path for cockpit crews.
These benefits also ensure that salary isn’t viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader compensation and lifestyle package.
How to Become a Pilot at KLM?
If you’re considering applying to KLM as a pilot, here are the main requirements you’ll need to meet:
- Valid ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) or CPL with frozen ATPL credits, recognised by the Dutch aviation authority or convertible.
- Valid Class 1 medical certificate.
- Competent English language skills (spoken and written). Moreover, Dutch language proficiency is often required or strongly encouraged for promotion to Captain.
- Completion of type rating (for some roles, this may be funded or supported by the airline).
- Minimum flight hours: For First Officers, earlier hours might vary depending on previous experience. Moreover, for Captains, significant PIC (Pilot In Command) hours on large aircraft are required.
- Personal qualities: Strong decision-making skills, teamwork, adaptability, high professional standards and willingness to comply with KLM’s operational culture.
- Legal eligibility: Right to work in the Netherlands and meet any required licence conversion/recognition steps.
Hiring Process for KLM Pilots
The recruitment process at KLM is structured and designed to evaluate both technical competency and fit with the airline’s culture. Here’s a typical journey:
- Application submission: Candidates apply via KLM’s careers portal, submitting qualifications, licences, logbook details, references, and resume.
- Pre-screening & document check: The airline verifies flight hours, licences, medical status and other prerequisites.
- Online assessments: These may include psychometric tests, reasoning exercises and aviation-relevant aptitude tasks.
- Technical/Simulator evaluation: Candidates may be tested in a flight simulator or other scenario-based assessment to gauge aircraft handling, situational judgement, emergency response and also CRM (Crew Resource Management).
- Interviews: Personal interview(s) with senior pilots or recruitment staff. This focuses on your past experience, motivations, adaptability and alignment with KLM’s values.
- Final offer & contract: Upon passing all assessments and checks (including medical, background and licence verification), the candidate receives a contract. Training and type-rating arrangements follow.
- Induction & line training: New pilots undergo induction into KLM’s procedures, culture, fleet operations and line training before full operational flying.
The whole process can also vary in length depending on the location of the applicant, aircraft type, and operational demand at the airline.
Bottom Line – KLM Pilot Salary
At KLM, the path from First Officer to Captain is clearly mapped, with promotion dependent on experience, hours, training and business need. As pilots gain seniority, fly more complex aircraft, and take on long-haul routes, both their pay and responsibilities grow significantly.
Given the European aviation market’s competitive nature, KLM pilots benefit from working for a legacy carrier with decent career stability, good training infrastructure, and decent global connectivity. However, for aspirant pilots with the required licences and flying hours, KLM remains a solid choice.
FAQs – KLM Pilot Salary
A newly hired KLM First Officer typically earns between €3,300 and €5,500 per month before completing their type rating. Once the type rating is achieved and a few months of operational experience are gained, the salary increases to roughly €5,500 to €8,300 per month.
Captain generally starts at around €12,500 per month, while senior Captains, particularly those flying long-haul widebody aircraft, earn approximately €20,000 or more each month.
Yes, KLM pilots receive several forms of supplementary compensation including international per-diem allowances, overnight payments, and duty-related premiums.
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