Avianca — Colombia's largest airline and the second-oldest carrier in the world.
An Avianca captain earns an average of $107K per year, typically $75K–$151K. First officers average $53K ($35K–$82K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Avianca was founded in 1919, making it the second-oldest airline in the world. Operating out of its hub in Bogotá, Colombia, it serves Latin America, North America, Europe and the Caribbean, and is a member of Star Alliance. The airline filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and completed its restructuring in 2021. It continues to drive efficiency with a simple fleet built around the A320 family.
* 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 |
$75K–$151K |
$107K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$35K–$82K |
$53K | Seniority-based |
Captain packages for foreign pilots are denominated in USD, while First Officer packages are denominated in COP/USD. Colombia levies personal income tax, so pay is not tax-free. The cost of living in Colombia is low, so the real purchasing power of USD-denominated income is high. Yen figures are converted at USD/JPY = 150.
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 | $19K–$28K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $35K–$56K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $48K–$69K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $60K–$82K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $75K–$109K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $97K–$130K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $117K–$151K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its Bogotá hub, Avianca serves Latin America (Mexico City, Lima, Buenos Aires and others), North America (Miami, New York, Los Angeles), Europe (Madrid, London) and the Caribbean.
Airbus A321neo, A320neo and A319. Approximately 130 aircraft (post-restructuring).
Type rating training conducted at training centers certified by the relevant national civil aviation authority (ANAC, Aerocivil, DGAC, etc.) or compliant with FAA/EASA standards.
After obtaining the type rating, line training is carried out under the supervision of an instructor captain.
Proficiency Check once or twice a year, in accordance with each country's regulations.
Seniority-based systems are the norm. Flight-hour requirements depend on each airline and each country's regulations.
Discounted travel benefits for the pilot and family members. Usable on alliance partner airlines.
Medical insurance for the pilot and family members, combined with each country's public healthcare scheme.
Performance-linked bonus, paid once or twice a year.
15–25 days per year, in accordance with each country's labor law.
Hiring status: Now hiring (post-restructuring). Open to ATPL holders.
Bogotá is a highland city at an altitude of 2,640 m. The climate is cool and comfortable, and the cost of living is low.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avianca 🇨🇴 | $75K–$151K | $35K–$82K | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
* 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.
Avianca captain pay averages about $107K per year (range $75K–$151K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Avianca first officer pay averages about $53K per year (range $35K–$82K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (Now Hiring) — Domestic and international operations. Bogotá-based.. Key requirements — License: ATPL (AEROCIVIL / ICAO-compliant); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: Captain 4,500h+ (guideline); Spanish: Conversational level recommended. Bogotá is a highland city at an altitude of 2,640 m. The climate is cool and comfortable, and the cost of living is low.
Avianca captains average $107K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Avianca captains earn about $8.9K a month and first officers about $4.5K. 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.
Avianca first officers average $53K and captains $107K — a step of about $53K, or roughly 2.0×. The full range runs $35K to $151K, 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 $107K and first officers $53K 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.
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Pilot salary in Colombia 1 airline · captain avg $107K