All Nippon Airways — Japan's largest airline
An All Nippon Airways (ANA) captain earns an average of $170K per year, typically $138K–$220K. First officers average $113K ($88K–$132K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan's largest airline group (under ANA Holdings), with industry-leading scale across both international and domestic operations. Its own international network covers roughly 24 countries and about 41 cities, and through the Star Alliance network — including codeshares — it offers global-scale connectivity.
A pilot career here is centered on hiring for company-sponsored cadets and self-funded license holders. With well-developed severance and pension schemes, it is an ideal environment for those who want to build a stable career within Japan.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
$138K–$220K |
$170K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$88K–$132K |
$113K | Seniority-based |
All figures are quoted pre-tax in Japanese yen (¥); income tax, resident tax and social insurance are withheld at source. Bonuses are performance-linked, at roughly 2–4 months of pay per year. A flight (duty) allowance is paid per flight hour, and an international layover allowance is paid separately according to the number of days spent overseas. Pilots receive a guaranteed minimum of 70–80 flight hours per month. Unlike some Gulf carriers, packages are not tax-free.
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | $25K–$44K | verified |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $69K–$88K | verified |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $88K–$113K | verified |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $107K–$132K | verified |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $126K–$151K | verified |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $151K–$170K | verified |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $170K–$220K | verified |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
International network: daily flights to North America (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.); long-haul routes to Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris, etc.); and short- to medium-haul routes across Asia (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, etc.). The A380 operates the Narita–Honolulu route, a distinctive fleet experience. Domestic network: major trunk routes including Haneda, Itami, New Chitose and Fukuoka. Domestic flying is centered on the A320/A321, with widebodies such as the B767 and B787 on trunk routes. The B737 and Q400/Q300 are operated by group company ANA Wings (a separate company).
Approximately 270 aircraft. Main types: B787 (international mainstay), B777 (long-haul international), B767 (domestic trunk & short-haul international), and A320/A321 (domestic mainstay). The A380 flies Narita–Honolulu and is operated by Captains only.
Aviation knowledge, meteorology, regulations, and more. About 6 months, conducted at the ANA Training Center (Haneda).
About 1–2 years at a partner flight school in Arizona, USA. Pilots earn private, instrument, multi-engine and commercial licenses. Foundational flight training toward promotion to First Officer (COP).
Type training on the actual aircraft and in simulators. After obtaining line qualification, the pilot enters service as a First Officer.
Roughly 10–15 years after joining is the guideline. A seniority-plus-merit system based on flight hours, evaluations, and vacancies.
Simulator training → actual-aircraft training → line check. After passing, the pilot enters service as a Captain.
Simulator assessments once or twice a year. Continuous maintenance of skill is required.
Heavily discounted air tickets for the employee and family. Also usable on Star Alliance partner airlines.
ANA Health Insurance Society. A support system for pilot-specific aviation medical examinations. Loss-of-license insurance included.
Defined-benefit corporate pension plus defined-contribution pension. Lump-sum retirement payment based on years of service. Among the highest-tier severance schemes in Japan.
Company housing and dormitory programs. Housing allowance paid. Relocation-cost support according to base assignment.
A track record of childcare leave, schedule consideration after returning to work, and a full nursing-care leave system.
Subsidies for English and technical training costs. Living-expense support during overseas training. Support for obtaining qualifications.
Hiring status: Cadet & Licensed-Pilot hiring open (as of March 2026)
Training costs are fully covered by the company. English proficiency and physical fitness (Class 1 aviation medical certificate) are required.
Important: ANA does not currently publicly advertise general mid-career (ready-to-fly) hiring of active pilots with line experience at other airlines. Licensed-pilot hiring is aimed at young pilots who have newly obtained their licenses. Check ANA's official website for hiring timing and conditions.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| Emirates 🇦🇪 | $211K–$318K | $157K–$211K | 0% (tax-free) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) captain pay averages about $170K per year (range $138K–$220K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) first officer pay averages about $113K per year (range $88K–$132K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
ANA FY2026 Company-Sponsored (Cadet) Pilot — Flight-crew trainee (new and prior graduates). Key requirements — Eligibility: University or graduate-school degree (any major); Positions: A small number (competition ratio in the hundreds); Start Date: April 2026 (new graduates). Training costs are fully covered by the company. English proficiency and physical fitness (Class 1 aviation medical certificate) are required.
Dividing the annual average by 12, All Nippon Airways (ANA) captains earn about $14K a month and first officers about $9.4K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) first officers average $113K and captains $170K — a step of about $57K, or roughly 1.5×. The full range runs $88K to $220K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $170K and first officers $113K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
Compare by country
Pilot salary in Japan 26 airlines · captain avg $116K