Iberia — Spain's flag carrier · Oneworld member (IAG).
An Iberia captain earns an average of $164K per year, typically $135K–$214K. First officers average $87K ($63K–$119K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Founded in 1927, Iberia is Spain's flag carrier. From its hub at Madrid-Barajas, it serves Europe, the Americas (more than 20 cities across North, Central, and South America), North Africa, and the Middle East. It belongs to the Oneworld alliance and the IAG (International Airlines Group). Its Latin America network in particular ranks among the largest in the world. Spain's income tax reaches a maximum of 47%. The A320 family and the A350 form the backbone of its fleet.
* 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 |
$135K–$214K |
$164K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$63K–$119K |
$87K | Seniority-based |
Pay is denominated in EUR and quoted pre-tax, and progresses on a seniority-based pay scale. Spain applies a progressive income tax reaching a maximum of 47%. Yen figures shown on the site are converted at EUR/JPY = 163. Madrid offers a relatively lower cost of living than many other major European cities.
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–$31K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $63K–$88K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $79K–$103K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $94K–$119K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $135K–$170K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $157K–$192K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $179K–$214K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its Madrid hub, Iberia serves Latin America (more than 20 cities including Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Lima, and São Paulo), North America, all of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Airbus A350-900, A330-200/300, A321neo, A320neo, A319. About 125 aircraft.
Type rating obtained at an EASA-certified Approved Training Organization (ATO). Ground school → simulator (including MCC) → LIFUS.
After earning the type rating, pilots fly Line Flying Under Supervision alongside an instructor captain — typically around 50–80 legs (in line with EASA FCL.060).
Proficiency Checks (PC) held once or twice a year, to EASA FCL.625/735 standards. Overseen by national CAAs (CAA UK, DGAC, LBA, etc.).
Captain training follows a period as SFO / Senior F/O. Additional qualifications such as LVP (Low Visibility Procedures), PBN, ETOPS, and RVSM are also obtained.
Heavily discounted or free flights for employees and their families. Also usable on alliance partner airlines.
High-standard European medical insurance. Loss-of-license insurance is also common.
Performance-linked bonus (equivalent to 2–4 months' pay per year). In some cases tied to individual performance reviews.
25–35 days per year — a generous leave system backed by European labor law (EU directives).
Defined-benefit or defined-contribution corporate pension (DBP/DCP). In Europe this operates alongside the public pension in a two-tier structure.
Accommodation and per diems paid for overseas stays. High-cost-area allowances tend to be higher for major European cities.
Hiring status: Recruiting on a regular basis. Open to EASA ATPL holders. Spanish-language ability is an advantage.
Transfer and hiring opportunities also exist within the IAG group (British Airways, Vueling, etc.).
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iberia 🇪🇸 | $135K–$214K | $63K–$119K | 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.
Iberia captain pay averages about $164K per year (range $135K–$214K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Iberia first officer pay averages about $87K per year (range $63K–$119K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer (Regular Intake) — International operations. Madrid-based.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL (AESA-issued); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Minimum Flight Hours: 5,000h+ for Captain; Spanish: Conversational to business level recommended. Transfer and hiring opportunities also exist within the IAG group (British Airways, Vueling, etc.).
Iberia captains average $164K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Iberia captains earn about $14K a month and first officers about $7.2K. 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.
Iberia first officers average $87K and captains $164K — a step of about $77K, or roughly 1.9×. The full range runs $63K to $214K, 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 $164K and first officers $87K 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 Spain 2 airlines · captain avg $136K