United Airlines offers one of the most competitive salary for pilots in the aviation industry. In 2025, the airline’s pay scales for both Captains and First Officers vary completely based on the aircraft type and their years of experience. As with all the major carriers, United’s payroll is designed to reward seniority, with significant annual pay rise for pilots in their first twelve years of service. However, even in the starting years, United pilots receive attractive compensation, especially compared to other carriers.
At United, Captains flying widebody jets such as the Boeing 777 or 787 unsurprisingly earn one of the highest salaries in the industry, with annual salary climbing up to $337,920 by year twelve. On the other hand, First Officers also receive competitive pay, with salaries ranging from $87,360 to $230,400 annually. Obviously, those flying widebody aircraft earn the highest salaries, but narrowbody aircraft still offer excellent pay to start with. Besides the base salary, pilots also receive additional benefits like per diems, profit-sharing, and incentives.
In this article, we will break down United Airlines pilot salaries in 2025, providing a closer look at pay for both Captains and First Officers. We’ll also discuss the factors influencing pay, including aircraft type, years of service, and flying hours. Whether you’re a current pilot at United, an aspiring aviator, or simply curious about how United compensates its flight crews, this article will provide complete details on the airline’s compensation structure.
Captain Salary at United Airlines (2025)
United Airlines Captains continue to rank among the top earners in the U.S. airline industry in 2025, with their compensation reflecting both the variety of the aircraft they fly and their years of experience. Captains flying the widebody jets on long-haul international and high-density domestic routes enjoy the highest base pay. The base salary increases annually for the first 12 years, aligning with industry standards, and maxes out after year twelve.
Base salaries for United Captains are calculated using hourly flight pay, assuming an average of 80 flight hours per month (or 960 per year), which is considered the upper limit for U.S. commercial pilots under FAA regulations. Note that these salaries do not include per diem, bonus payouts, profit-sharing, or additional incentives that can further boost earnings significantly. In 2025, a United Airlines Captain earns between $249,600 and $337,920 annually, depending on aircraft type and seniority.
Below, we examine Captain pay across United’s three major aircraft categories – widebody, mid-size, and narrowbody, offering a clearer picture of what cockpit leaders can expect at each level.
Widebody Aircraft Captain Salary
Captains flying United’s widebody fleet operate on high-yield international and long-haul domestic routes. These aircraft include the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777, and Boeing 767-400ER. Given the complexity and operational importance of these jets, Captains in this category command the highest base salaries at the airline.
In 2025, base salary for widebody Captains begins at $309,120 (year one) and increases annually to a peak of $337,920 by year twelve. This reflects an average hourly wage that starts at $323 and rises to $352 over time. These salaries are highly competitive and are among the highest offered by U.S. carriers, with actual earnings potentially much higher when incentives and profit-sharing are included.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $323 | $309,120 |
| 2 | $325 | $312,000 |
| 3 | $328 | $314,880 |
| 4 | $331 | $317,760 |
| 5 | $333 | $319,680 |
| 6 | $336 | $322,560 |
| 7 | $339 | $325,440 |
| 8 | $341 | $327,360 |
| 9 | $344 | $330,240 |
| 10 | $347 | $333,120 |
| 11 | $349 | $335,040 |
| 12 | $352 | $337,920 |
Mid-Size Aircraft Captain Salary
United’s mid-size aircraft Captains fly a mix of domestic transcontinental and medium-haul international routes. These include the Boeing 757-200 and 757-300, as well as the Boeing 767-200 and 767-300. Although slightly below widebody rates, salaries in this category still offer excellent earnings potential and are often seen as a bridge for pilots transitioning to larger aircraft.
In 2025, Captain salaries for these aircraft begin at around $249,600 in the first year and grow to $271,680 by year twelve. Hourly rates range from $260 to $283 depending on the specific aircraft.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $260 | $249,600 |
| 2 | $262 | $251,520 |
| 3 | $264 | $253,440 |
| 4 | $266 | $255,360 |
| 5 | $268 | $257,280 |
| 6 | $270 | $259,200 |
| 7 | $273 | $262,080 |
| 8 | $275 | $264,000 |
| 9 | $277 | $265,920 |
| 10 | $279 | $267,840 |
| 11 | $281 | $269,760 |
| 12 | $283 | $271,680 |
Narrowbody Aircraft Captain Salary
Captains flying United’s extensive narrowbody fleet, including the Airbus A319/A320 and Boeing 737-700/800/900/Max series comprise the largest single group of cockpit crew at the airline. These aircraft primarily serve United’s domestic network and short- to medium-haul international markets.
Annual base salaries in 2025 for narrowbody Captains range from $239,040 to $261,120, depending on aircraft type and years of service. The hourly pay begins at $249 and rises to $272. These rates reflect the airline’s emphasis on competitive pay even at the domestic level, while offering pilots more frequent home base returns and shorter duty periods than long-haul assignments.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $249 | $239,040 |
| 2 | $251 | $240,960 |
| 3 | $253 | $242,880 |
| 4 | $255 | $244,800 |
| 5 | $257 | $246,720 |
| 6 | $259 | $248,640 |
| 7 | $261 | $250,560 |
| 8 | $263 | $252,480 |
| 9 | $265 | $254,400 |
| 10 | $268 | $256,320 |
| 11 | $270 | $259,200 |
| 12 | $272 | $261,120 |
First Officer Salary at United Airlines (2025)
United Airlines offers a competitive and progressive salary structure for its First Officers, reflecting the airline’s scale and scope of operations. In 2025, base pay for First Officers varies significantly by aircraft type and years of experience, with widebody First Officers earning the highest salaries and those on narrowbody fleets still receiving attractive pay packages. As with most U.S. carriers, pay scales increase annually over the first twelve years of service before plateauing.
First Officers at United fly a variety of aircraft from the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family on domestic and short-haul routes to the 777 and 787 for long-haul international operations. Salaries are calculated using an 80-hour monthly flying schedule (960 hours per year), which is the standard benchmark for estimating pilot earnings in the industry. In 2025, United Airlines First Officers earn a base salary ranging from $87,360 and $230,400 annually, depending on the aircraft and years of service.
Below is a detailed breakdown of United First Officer base salaries by aircraft category.
Widebody Aircraft First Officer Salary
Widebody First Officers enjoy the highest pay scale among their peers, reflecting the operational complexity and seniority required for long-haul international flying. These aircraft are deployed on high-revenue routes to Europe, Asia, and South America, and are flown by experienced crews.
In 2025, First Officers on widebody jets begin with an annual salary of $87,360 in their first year, increasing to $230,400 by year twelve. Hourly rates start at $91 and rise steadily to $240. These pay rates are among the highest for First Officers across U.S. carriers and offer a clear path to eventual promotion to Captain on the same aircraft types.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $91 | $87,360 |
| 2 | $174 | $167,040 |
| 3 | $204 | $195,840 |
| 4 | $209 | $200,640 |
| 5 | $214 | $205,440 |
| 6 | $219 | $210,240 |
| 7 | $225 | $216,000 |
| 8 | $230 | $220,800 |
| 9 | $233 | $223,680 |
| 10 | $236 | $226,560 |
| 11 | $238 | $228,480 |
| 12 | $240 | $230,400 |
Mid-Size Aircraft First Officer Salary
United’s mid-size aircraft fleet, which bridges domestic and international flying, is another key career path for First Officers. The Boeing 757 and 767 families are used on transcontinental and medium-haul international routes, providing both experience and earning potential.
First Officers flying these aircraft types earn an estimated base salary ranging from $87,360 in year one to $192,000 by year twelve, based on hourly pay that starts at $91 and peaks at $200. These jets are often popular among First Officers due to their route variety and the opportunity to gain flight hours across both domestic and overseas networks.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $91 | $87,360 |
| 2 | $144 | $138,240 |
| 3 | $168 | $161,280 |
| 4 | $173 | $165,120 |
| 5 | $177 | $169,920 |
| 6 | $181 | $174,720 |
| 7 | $186 | $179,520 |
| 8 | $191 | $183,360 |
| 9 | $193 | $185,280 |
| 10 | $196 | $188,160 |
| 11 | $198 | $190,080 |
| 12 | $200 | $192,000 |
Narrowbody Aircraft First Officer Salary
The narrowbody fleet constitutes the largest volume of First Officer positions at United Airlines. These include the Boeing 737-700/800/900/MAX variants and the Airbus A319/A320 aircraft—staples of United’s domestic and near-international network.
In 2025, First Officers in these categories earn between $87,360 and $178,560 annually, depending on seniority and aircraft type. Hourly rates start at $91 in the first year and climb to $186 by year twelve. While the base pay is slightly lower than for larger aircraft, many First Officers appreciate the lifestyle balance and higher frequency of home returns that narrowbody flying allows.
Note that the salaries are averaged across all the aircraft types.
| Years of Service | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $91 | $87,360 |
| 2 | $134 | $128,640 |
| 3 | $157 | $150,720 |
| 4 | $161 | $154,560 |
| 5 | $165 | $158,400 |
| 6 | $169 | $162,240 |
| 7 | $174 | $167,040 |
| 8 | $178 | $171,840 |
| 9 | $180 | $172,800 |
| 10 | $182 | $174,720 |
| 11 | $184 | $176,640 |
| 12 | $186 | $178,560 |
United Airlines Pilot Bases (2025)
United Airlines operates an extensive network from multiple pilot bases strategically positioned across the United States and the Pacific region. These domiciles help in the effective operation of both narrowbody and widebody aircraft, enabling seamless connectivity across domestic and international markets.
Current United Airlines Pilot Bases:
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Denver (DEN)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Newark Liberty (EWR)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Guam (GUM)
- Cleveland (CLE)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Tampa (TPA)
These bases are crucial in the day-to-day operations of the hundreds of aircraft on numerous routes, from high-frequency domestic flights to ultra-long-haul international flights.
United Airlines Fleet (as of May 2025)
United Airlines operates the largest mainline fleet among U.S. carriers, with 1,027 aircraft in service and over 650 aircraft on order. United’s fleet comprises of a broad mix of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody jets, alongside an all-Boeing widebody fleet.
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 81 | — | Retiring 21 older aircraft early in 2025. |
| Airbus A320-200 | 76 | — | — |
| Airbus A321neo | 37 | 135 | Deliveries through 2032. |
| Airbus A321XLR | — | 50 | Deliveries begin January 2026; replacing Boeing 757-200. |
| Airbus A350-900 | — | 45 | Deliveries delayed until 2030; replacing 777-200ER. |
| Boeing 737-700 | 40 | — | — |
| Boeing 737-800 | 141 | — | — |
| Boeing 737-900 | 12 | — | — |
| Boeing 737-900ER | 136 | — | — |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 118 | 5 | — |
| Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 99 | 124 | United is the largest operator of the MAX 9. |
| Boeing 737 MAX 10 | — | 167 | Launch customer; production paused amid certification uncertainty. |
| Boeing 757-200 | 40 | — | To be replaced by A321XLR. |
| Boeing 757-300 | 21 | — | United is the largest operator. |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 37 | — | To be phased out by 2030; being replaced by 787. |
| Boeing 767-400ER | 16 | — | — |
| Boeing 777-200 | 19 | — | Domestic configuration; to be replaced by 787. |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 55 | — | Replaced by A350-900; multiple configurations. |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 22 | — | — |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 77 | 144 | Replacing 767 and 777-200 variants; 50 options included. |
Total Fleet: 1,027 aircraft in service; 670 on order
United’s aggressive fleet renewal strategy reflects its commitment to sustainability, international growth, and modernizing the passenger experience. The airline is retiring aging models like the 757, 767, and older A319s while scaling up deliveries of fuel-efficient aircraft such as the A321neo, 737 MAX, and Boeing 787.
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