Oriental Air Bridge — a historic regional commuter carrier connecting the remote islands of Nagasaki.
An Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) captain earns an average of $94K per year, typically $82K–$107K. First officers average $53K ($44K–$63K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) was founded in 1961 as "Nagasaki Airways" and is a historic regional carrier that has served the remote-island routes of Nagasaki Prefecture for many years. Based at Nagasaki Airport, it operates routes to Goto Fukue, Iki, Tsushima, Fukuoka and other destinations. Through its partnership and codeshare with ANA, it secures connectivity to a nationwide network.
Nagasaki Prefecture has many remote islands, with numerous inhabited islands such as the Goto Islands, Iki and Tsushima. Connecting in 30 to 40 minutes islands that would otherwise take several hours by ferry, ORC's routes are an indispensable part of the islanders' living infrastructure. Operating the DHC-8-Q400, the airline has earned the trust of local residents through high punctuality and safety.
* 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 |
$82K–$107K |
$94K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$44K–$63K |
$53K | Seniority-based |
All figures are in Japanese yen and are subject to Japanese income tax. Bonuses are paid twice a year, based on ANA-partnership standards. Remote-island allowances are paid separately and set on a per-route basis, and both flight (duty) allowances and remote-island allowances add to base pay. Loss-of-license insurance covering both on-duty and off-duty situations is provided.
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 | $44K–$53K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $49K–$58K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $55K–$63K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $82K–$93K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $89K–$100K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $96K–$107K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
ORC's core network centers on Nagasaki's remote islands: Nagasaki–Goto Fukue (approx. 30 min), Nagasaki–Iki (approx. 25 min), Nagasaki–Tsushima (approx. 35 min), and Nagasaki–Fukuoka (approx. 40 min), plus an inter-island network within Nagasaki Prefecture. Operations are defined by short-haul, high-frequency island flying; expertise in over-water flight and island-specific weather; precise landing technique on the DHC-8-Q400; and more than 60 years of remote-island operating history and trust.
DHC-8-Q400 — a 74-seat large Dash 8 turboprop — based at Nagasaki Airport (NGS) as its hub. Operations are focused on remote islands within Nagasaki Prefecture, including ANA codeshare flights.
Type-rating training on the DHC-8-Q400 (Dash 8 Q400). Pilots master its systems as a 74-seat large turboprop, along with the Q400's distinctive high-wing configuration and noise-reduction system.
Training in Nagasaki's island-specific weather, over-water flight, and precise landings on short runways. Pilots acquire island-flying specialist skills such as handling sudden fog, shifting wind directions, and maritime air currents.
In line with the ANA partnership and codeshare, operations are kept consistent with ANA's standard operating procedures, and day-to-day duties are carried out under ANA quality standards.
The high number of landings at a remote-island carrier sharpens pilots' skills. Continuous safety standards are maintained through proficiency checks conducted once or twice a year.
Discounted ORC tickets for pilots and their families. Discounts on ANA codeshare flights can also be used.
Nagasaki offers beautiful scenery, a rich food culture, and a mild climate, with attractive access to the Goto Islands, Iki, and Tsushima.
Enrollment in the health insurance society, with pilot-specialized health management support and full loss-of-license insurance coverage.
A retirement allowance scheme and corporate pension are fully provided, backed by a stable corporate foundation with over 60 years of history.
Childcare leave and reduced-hours work systems are fully available, letting families enjoy Nagasaki's rich natural environment together.
Type-rating costs are borne by ORC, with a cost-support program available for continuing education and skill development.
Hiring status: Experienced-pilot hiring (F/O & Captain) — confirm on official site
Hiring availability varies by period; please confirm on ORC's official website.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) 🇯🇵 | $82K–$107K | $44K–$63K | ~33% (Japan) |
| 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.
Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) captain pay averages about $94K per year (range $82K–$107K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) first officer pay averages about $53K per year (range $44K–$63K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Oriental Air Bridge Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) / Captain — experienced hire. Key requirements — Eligibility: Commercial Pilot License (multi-engine, instrument) or Airline Transport Pilot License holder; Base: Nagasaki Airport (Nagasaki Prefecture); English: Aviation English Proficiency Certificate Level 4 or above. Hiring availability varies by period; please confirm on ORC's official website.
Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) captains average $94K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) captains earn about $7.9K 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.
Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) first officers average $53K and captains $94K — a step of about $41K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $44K to $107K, 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 $94K 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 Japan 26 airlines · captain avg $116K