Carrying on the world's oldest airline name still in use · SkyTeam member
An KLM Royal Dutch Airlines captain earns an average of $249K per year, typically $191K–$366K. First officers average $141K ($87K–$275K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919. Known as "the airline that has kept using the world's oldest name," it serves more than 160 cities worldwide from its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol. It is part of the Air France-KLM Group and a member of SkyTeam. Even among the major European full-service carriers (FSCs), it is known for its relatively good labor relations and stable employment package. The B777, B787, and A330 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 |
$191K–$366K |
$249K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$87K–$275K |
$141K | Seniority-based |
Salaries are denominated in EUR and quoted pre-tax, on a seniority-based pay scale. Dutch income tax is progressive, reaching a maximum of 49.5%. Foreign hires may qualify for the "30% ruling" (a foreign-worker tax incentive that exempts 30% of salary from taxation), which can meaningfully improve take-home pay. Yen figures are converted at EUR/JPY = 163.
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 | $26K–$43K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $87K–$172K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $140K–$222K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $190K–$275K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $191K–$269K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $240K–$316K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $287K–$366K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its Amsterdam Schiphol hub, KLM serves North America (New York, Los Angeles, etc.), Asia (Tokyo, Beijing, Bangkok, etc.), Africa (Nairobi, Johannesburg, etc.), and South America.
Boeing 777-200ER/300ER, B787-9/10, B737-800/MAX, Airbus A330-300, Embraer E2. Approximately 170 aircraft.
Type rating obtained at an EASA-certified Approved Training Organization (ATO). Ground school → simulator (including MCC) → LIFUS.
After earning the type rating, Line Flying Under Supervision is conducted with an instructor captain on board. Typically around 50-80 legs (in line with EASA FCL.060).
Proficiency Checks (PC) 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 acquired.
Heavily discounted or free air tickets for the employee and family. Also usable on alliance partner carriers.
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 under European labor law (EU directives).
Defined-benefit or defined-contribution corporate pension (DBP/DCP). In Europe this operates as a dual structure alongside the state pension.
Accommodation and per-diem paid for overseas stays. High-cost-area allowances tend to be higher for major European cities.
For foreign hires, the Dutch government's 30% ruling (which exempts 30% of salary from tax) may apply.
Hiring status: Actively recruiting on a regular basis. Open to EASA ATPL holders.
Foreign hires are accepted. Take-home pay may improve where the 30% ruling applies.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 🇳🇱 | $191K–$366K | $87K–$275K | 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.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines captain pay averages about $249K per year (range $191K–$366K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines first officer pay averages about $141K per year (range $87K–$275K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer (Regular Recruitment) — International operations. Amsterdam-based.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL; English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: Captain 5,000h+; Type Rating: B777/B787/A330 preferred. Foreign hires are accepted. Take-home pay may improve where the 30% ruling applies.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines captains average $249K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines captains earn about $21K a month and first officers about $12K. 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.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines first officers average $141K and captains $249K — a step of about $108K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $87K to $366K, 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 $249K and first officers $141K 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 the Netherlands 1 airline · captain avg $249K