Europe's largest aviation group. 5% pay raise implemented January 2026.
Lufthansa (Deutsche Lufthansa AG), founded 1926, is the German flag carrier and Europe's largest aviation group. Hubs at Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). A founding Star Alliance member.
Group includes Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. Following union (Vereinigung Cockpit) negotiations 2024–2026, a 5% pay increase took effect January 2026, pushing senior captain pay to EUR 266,500–279,500.
* 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 EUR153,000/yr |
¥24.9M–¥43.2M |
¥34.4M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer EUR265,000/yr |
¥12.6M–¥30.1M |
¥18.9M | Seniority-based |
💡 EUR/JPY≈163. Germany has high income tax (up to 45%). However, international layover per diem (EUR60–70/day, tax-free) adds EUR8,000–12,000/year for long-haul crews.
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 | ¥3.8M–¥6.3M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥12.6M–¥20.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥17.5M–¥25.2M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥22.2M–¥30.1M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥24.9M–¥33.1M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥30M–¥38.1M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥35M–¥43.2M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
FRA/MUC hubs to Europe, worldwide. Japan (NRT/HND/OSA) direct flights. European short/medium via Eurowings. Long-haul to Americas, Asia, Africa, Middle East.
B747-8, A340/A380 (partial), A350-900, A320/A321neo
One of the largest aviation training organizations in the world. Centers in Frankfurt, Munich, and more.
Zero-to-ATPL cadet program. Initial training at partner schools across Europe.
Experienced pilot type rating. Entry position based on flight experience.
Combination of seniority and performance assessment. Typically 8–15 years as F/O.
German pilot union. Negotiated the 2024–2026 pay increases. Collective bargaining agreement.
EASA-standard proficiency checks. 1–2x per year.
Lufthansa Group discount tickets for self and family. Star Alliance partial access.
Germany's comprehensive public health insurance and pension system. Strong social safety net.
Supplemental company pension on top of German public pension. Stable retirement income.
Frankfurt and Munich offer excellent infrastructure. Public transport developed. German language learning recommended.
Income replacement per German law.
European-standard generous annual leave (30+ days). Strong work-life balance culture.
Hiring status: Hiring
* Non-EU/EFTA applicants need work authorization. Apply via Lufthansa Group careers. German language helpful but not mandatory.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa 🇩🇪 | ¥24.9M–¥43.2M | ¥12.6M–¥30.1M | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~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.
Lufthansa captain pay averages about ¥34.4M per year (range ¥24.9M–¥43.2M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Lufthansa first officer pay averages about ¥18.9M per year (range ¥12.6M–¥30.1M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
First Officer (Direct Entry) — Frankfurt / Munich base.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL or equivalent; Min. Hours: 1,500h+ multi-engine IFR; Work Auth.: EU/EFTA citizenship or work visa required. Non-EU/EFTA applicants need work authorization. Apply via Lufthansa Group careers. German language helpful but not mandatory.
Lufthansa captains average ¥34.4M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Lufthansa captains earn about ¥2.87M a month and first officers about ¥1.58M. 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.
Lufthansa first officers average ¥18.9M and captains ¥34.4M — a step of about ¥15.5M, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs ¥12.6M to ¥43.2M, 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 ¥34.4M and first officers ¥18.9M 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 Germany 2 airlines · captain avg ¥3,110万