easyJet Pilot Salary: How It Compares to UK Average and Median Pay

easyJet Pilot Salary in Context

When discussing the easyjet pilot salary, it is important to understand that pay varies significantly by rank, seniority, and the specific pay deal in place. Unlike many UK professions where a national pay scale exists, airline pilot salaries are set by individual carriers through collective bargaining. easyJet, one of the UK’s largest low-cost carriers, has its own structured pay ladder for pilots, which has recently seen substantial increases following a landmark agreement with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA).

How easyJet Structures Pilot Pay

easyJet’s pilot ranks are divided into three main categories: Second Officer (SO), First Officer (FO), and Captain (CPT). Within the First Officer tier, there is also a Senior First Officer (SFO) step. According to aviationanalysis.net, the fixed annual salary for a Second Officer is £57,235. First Officers earn £67,628, while Senior First Officers can earn up to £83,020. Captains, who are responsible for overall flight management and crew supervision, earn between £136,890 and £157,424, with loyalty bonuses adding 5% to 15% for long-serving captains.

However, more recent data from airmappr.com, reflecting the 2024 BALPA deal, indicates that easyJet First Officers now earn between £68,000 and £98,000, and Captains between £170,000 and £220,000 gross per year. This deal introduced RPI-linked pay rises and a 27% compounded increase for senior staff, making easyJet one of the highest-paying A320 operators in Europe. It is worth noting that older data from aircrewnetwork.com (2023) shows slightly lower base figures: Captain top £134,588, SFO £70,957, FO £57,802, and SO £48,918. The variation reflects the timing of pay deals and the difference between base pay and total compensation including bonuses.

Comparing easyJet Pilot Pay to UK Averages

To put these figures in perspective, the UK median full-time gross annual pay is approximately £39,039 (as per the on-site reference database). Even the lowest easyJet pilot salary—around £57,000 for a Second Officer—is nearly 50% above the national median. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 reports a median of £82,746 for the broader SOC 2020 unit group 3511, which includes aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers. This group’s lower quartile is £61,511. However, ONS cautions that the upper quartile and 90th percentile are suppressed due to statistical unreliability, meaning there is no official figure for the top of the profession.

It is crucial to note that the ONS group is wider than airline flying. It includes helicopter, cargo, business-aviation, and training pilots, as well as air traffic controllers. Therefore, the £82,746 median is not a direct benchmark for easyJet pilots specifically. Nevertheless, it provides a useful anchor: an easyJet First Officer at the lower end of the recent range (£68,000) is slightly below the ONS median, while a Senior First Officer or Captain far exceeds it.

Take-Home Pay and Tax Considerations

Gross salary is only part of the picture. For the 2026/27 tax year, UK Income Tax rates are frozen: 20% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, 40% on £50,271 to £125,140, and 45% above that. National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above. Using the salarytax.uk calculator, a pilot earning the ONS median of £82,746 would take home about £58,550 a year in England, after £20,530 Income Tax and £3,666 National Insurance. At the easyJet Captain top end of £220,000, take-home would be approximately £117,786, but the personal allowance is fully tapered above £100,000, meaning the effective tax rate is higher.

For pilots based in Scotland, different Income Tax bands apply (starter, basic, intermediate, higher, and top rates), which can affect take-home pay. Always check the latest Scottish rates if applicable.

Why easyJet Pilot Pay Matters for Job Seekers

For those considering a career as a pilot, understanding the easyjet pilot salary is essential. The airline’s pay structure is transparent and progressive, with clear steps from Second Officer to Captain. The recent BALPA deal has made easyJet particularly attractive, halting what was described as a “brain drain” to British Airways. Compared to other UK airlines, easyJet offers competitive pay: British Airways First Officers start around £40,000 and Captains can reach £205,000+, but easyJet’s Captain range of £170,000–£220,000 is higher at the top end. Ryanair UK and Jet2 offer lower Captain ranges (£95K–£150K and £140K–£190K+ respectively).

However, it is important to remember that pilot pay is not just about the base salary. Per diems, sector pay, and loyalty bonuses add to total compensation. For example, easyJet Captains receive sector pay based on distance flown, and long-serving captains get progressive bonuses. These extras can significantly boost annual earnings.

Caveats and Limitations

No single figure can represent the easyjet pilot salary for all pilots. Pay depends on the year of the contract, the specific fleet (A320 family), and individual seniority. The figures from different sources (aviationanalysis.net, aircrewnetwork.com, airmappr.com) span 2023 to 2026, so readers should treat them as indicative ranges rather than precise current amounts. The ONS median is a useful national benchmark but is not airline-specific.

Additionally, the cost of training to become a pilot is substantial. Many easyJet pilots enter via the MPL (Multi-crew Pilot Licence) scheme with CAE, which involves significant upfront costs. While the salary prospects are excellent, the investment required should be factored into career decisions.

For more context on how pilot salaries compare to other professions, see our salary articles and UK Average Salary. You can also explore broader salary data for other occupations.

Summary

In summary, the easyjet pilot salary ranges from around £57,000 for a new Second Officer to over £170,000 for an experienced Captain, with recent deals pushing the top end even higher. These figures are well above the UK median full-time pay of £39,039 and the ONS pilot/ATC median of £82,746. Take-home pay is affected by progressive taxation, but even after deductions, easyJet pilots are among the highest earners in the UK workforce. For job seekers, easyJet offers a clear progression path and competitive compensation, making it a leading choice in the UK aviation sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average easyJet pilot salary?

There is no single average because pay varies by rank and seniority. According to recent reports, easyJet First Officers earn between £68,000 and £98,000, while Captains earn £170,000 to £220,000. The ONS median for all pilots and air traffic controllers is £82,746, but that is a broader group. For context, the UK median full-time salary is about £39,039.

How does easyJet pilot pay compare to other UK airlines?

easyJet is considered one of the highest-paying single-type operators in Europe, especially after the 2024 BALPA deal. Compared to British Airways, easyJet Captains can earn more at the top end (£170K–£220K vs £100K–£205K+), while First Officer pay is competitive. Ryanair UK and Jet2 offer lower ranges for Captains (£95K–£150K and £140K–£190K+ respectively).

What is the take-home pay for an easyJet pilot earning £82,746?

Using 2026/27 HMRC rates, a pilot earning the ONS median of £82,746 would take home approximately £58,550 a year in England after Income Tax and National Insurance, assuming no pension sacrifice. At the top end of easyJet Captain pay (£220,000), take-home would be around £117,786, but the personal allowance is lost above £100,000.