EgyptAir — Egypt's state-owned flag carrier and a member of Star Alliance.
An EgyptAir captain earns an average of $98K per year, typically $79K–$120K. First officers average $53K ($41K–$66K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Founded in 1932, EgyptAir is one of the oldest airlines in the world. From its hub in Cairo it serves Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, and it is a member of Star Alliance. The Egyptian pound (EGP) has continued to fall sharply, and as a result the real value of pay under local contracts has declined. Foreign pilots are in some cases hired on special USD-denominated contracts. The fleet is built around the B787, A220 and B737.
* 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 |
$79K–$120K |
$98K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$41K–$66K |
$53K | Seniority-based |
Foreign pilots are typically engaged on USD-denominated contracts, while local crew are paid in a mix of EGP and USD. For local pilots, the real value of EGP-denominated pay continues to erode under currency depreciation. A housing allowance is provided separately. Yen equivalents 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 | $41K–$52K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $48K–$59K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $55K–$66K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $79K–$97K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $90K–$108K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $101K–$120K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From the Cairo hub, EgyptAir serves Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt and others), North America (New York, Los Angeles and others), Asia (Tokyo, Beijing, Bangkok and others), as well as destinations across Africa and the Middle East.
Boeing 787-9, B737-800, Airbus A220-300, A320/A321neo. Approximately 70 aircraft.
Type rating training is conducted at facilities approved by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) or at OEM training centers.
Line training follows once the type rating is obtained.
OPC/LPC once or twice a year, in accordance with ICAO Annex 1/6.
Upgrade to Captain is filled primarily through in-house progression, and EgyptAir also has a track record of hiring foreign captains directly.
Discounted or free tickets for the pilot and family. Partner carriers, including Star Alliance members, can also be used.
Medical cover for the pilot and family.
Housing allowance and cost-of-living support for foreign pilots. USD-denominated contracts are common.
20–30 days per year. Crew on long-haul routes also receive recovery days.
Hiring status: EgyptAir has a track record of hiring foreign pilots. Candidates holding a B787 or A320-family type rating are given preference.
Cairo has a low cost of living, so USD-denominated income carries high real purchasing power. The tourism and cultural environment is another draw.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| EgyptAir 🇪🇬 | $79K–$120K | $41K–$66K | 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.
EgyptAir captain pay averages about $98K per year (range $79K–$120K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
EgyptAir first officer pay averages about $53K per year (range $41K–$66K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (Foreign Pilot Hiring) — International operations. Cairo-based.. Key requirements — License: ATPL (ICAO-compliant, ECAA-approved); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: Captain 4,500h+ (guideline); Contract: Fixed-term contract (2–3 years). Cairo has a low cost of living, so USD-denominated income carries high real purchasing power. The tourism and cultural environment is another draw.
EgyptAir captains average $98K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, EgyptAir captains earn about $8.1K 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.
EgyptAir first officers average $53K and captains $98K — a step of about $44K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $41K to $120K, 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 $98K 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 Egypt 1 airline · captain avg $98K