easyJet — the UK's largest low-cost carrier, operating across the whole of Europe.
An easyJet captain earns an average of $170K per year, typically $145K–$226K. First officers average $94K ($76K–$125K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
easyJet is a low-cost carrier founded with its base at London Luton Airport, and today it connects more than 150 cities across the whole of Europe. It maintains major bases in London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan and elsewhere. Its fleet is standardized on the A320 family. Following Brexit, easyJet established easyJet Europe as an EU subsidiary to preserve its European route network. Pilots require a UK CAA / EASA ATPL.
* 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 |
$145K–$226K |
$170K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$76K–$125K |
$94K | Seniority-based |
Pay is GBP-denominated and quoted pre-tax for UK-based crew (GBP/JPY converted at 190 for UK bases); crew at EU bases are paid in EUR. First Officer pay follows a seniority-based system. Actual take-home pay varies significantly depending on the cost of living in the chosen base city.
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 | $23K–$38K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $76K–$98K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $90K–$111K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $103K–$125K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $145K–$182K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $167K–$204K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $190K–$226K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Operates from multiple bases — including London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Madrid and Milan — to destinations across the whole of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Specializes in short- and medium-haul routes.
Airbus A321neo, A320neo, A320ceo and A319. Around 350 aircraft.
Conducted at EASA-approved ATOs. At LCCs, some contract structures require the pilot to bear part or all of the type-rating cost, so the terms should be confirmed.
Line training under a supervising instructor captain after obtaining the type rating. Because LCCs fly many short-haul sectors, pilots can build up their leg counts relatively quickly.
Checks are held once or twice a year in line with EASA standards. LCCs apply the same safety standards as full-service carriers.
Upgrade from First Officer to Captain typically requires a minimum of 4,000–5,000+ flight hours as a guideline. LCCs can also offer more frequent upgrade opportunities.
Discounted or free travel on the airline's own flights. Often extended to group and partner airlines.
Basic medical insurance (in Europe, combined with the EHIC / public healthcare systems).
Duty pay or productivity bonuses, frequently linked to flight hours and sector (leg) counts.
A minimum of 20+ days in line with EU directives, in accordance with each country's law.
A duty allowance for working at the chosen base city (London, Madrid, etc.).
Additional pay linked to flight hours and productivity. Peak seasons offer the chance to increase earnings.
Hiring status: Hiring continuously. Open to holders of a UK CAA / EASA ATPL.
Under the easyJet GenX program, some courses have the company cover the type-rating cost (conditions apply).
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| easyJet 🇬🇧 | $145K–$226K | $76K–$125K | 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.
easyJet captain pay averages about $170K per year (range $145K–$226K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
easyJet first officer pay averages about $94K per year (range $76K–$125K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (continuous recruitment) — European route flying. Choice of multiple bases.. Key requirements — Required license: UK CAA / EASA ATPL; English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Minimum flight hours: F/O: 500h+, Captain: 4,000h+ (guideline); Type rating: A320 family (company may cover training costs in some cases). Under the easyJet GenX program, some courses have the company cover the type-rating cost (conditions apply).
easyJet captains average $170K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, easyJet captains earn about $14K a month and first officers about $7.9K. 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.
easyJet first officers average $94K and captains $170K — a step of about $75K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $76K to $226K, 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 $94K 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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