airline Pilot & First Officer Jobs — Start This Week

Regional first officers start around $60K–$100K/year with sign-on bonuses. Major airline first officers earn $90K–$200K depending on aircraft and years of service. Captains at major airlines (Delta, American, United, Southwest) typically make $250K–$400K+/year, with wide-body international captains topping $500K.

Airline pilots need an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, typically requiring 1,500 flight hours (or 1,000–1,250 via restricted ATP pathways). You'll also need a first-class medical, and pass airline-specific assessments and simulator evaluations.

Yes, many regional airlines continue hiring with sign-on bonuses and guaranteed flow-through agreements to major carriers. Hiring volume varies with industry cycles — check individual airline career pages for current postings.

Most regional airlines do not require a four-year degree. Major airlines typically prefer a bachelor's degree but increasingly waive it for experienced candidates. What matters most is flight hours, certifications, clean records, and passing the interview and sim evaluation.