In Spain, the income level of civil aviation pilots is determined not only by professional experience, but also by the specific airline and the position held. Salary ranges in the industry are significant: the difference between an entry-level position and an aircraft captain can reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros per year. This topic remains relevant for many who are considering a career as a pilot or are simply interested in the income structure of the aviation sector.
Key factors
A pilot’s salary is shaped by several factors. The most important is the job category: aviation distinguishes several levels — from Second Officer and First Officer to Captain. The key criterion for moving between levels is flight hours: a First Officer needs fewer than 500 hours, a Senior First Officer needs more, and a Captain is usually someone who has accumulated more than 3,000 hours. As experience and responsibility grow, so does the salary.
In addition, the final amount depends on years of service with the company and the conditions of the collective agreement. Among different airlines, starting and maximum figures can vary severalfold, leading to significant differences even among employees with similar experience.
Salary ranges by company
According to One Air, the salary ranges at the largest airlines in Spain and abroad are as follows. At Iberia, entry-level pilots can expect an annual salary starting at €35,000, while captains can earn up to €190,000. A first officer at this company starts at around €40,000.
At Ryanair, the minimum salary is €29,000 plus additional payments, while captains earn from €148,000. A Second Officer here earns from €53,000, a First Officer from €82,000, and maximum amounts can exceed €100,000 per year.
Air Europa offers starting pilots from €36,000, and experienced employees can earn up to €70,000. However, the collective agreement provides for even higher amounts for certain categories.
At Vueling, a first officer can earn up to €60,000, while captains can make from €80,000 to €140,000 a year.
For comparison, in other international companies, starting salaries are even higher: Emirates offers from €140,000, Qatar Airways from €78,000, American Airlines from $100,000 to $120,000, and Lufthansa up to €225,000.
The influence of collective agreements
The terms of collective agreements play a significant role. For example, at Iberia Express, a level 1C pilot can receive a base salary of €110,000 per year. At Air Europa, according to the current agreement in force until the end of 2025, a first pilot N1AP1 receives €96,578.76, while a second pilot N1AP2 gets €73,794.04 (2023 data, indexed by 3%).
Income diversity
As Talent24h notes, there is no unified salary structure for pilots in Spain. The final amount depends on the company, position, and the number of flight hours. These parameters explain why the gap between minimum and maximum earnings in the profession is so wide.
