Europe's largest ultra-low-cost carrier by passenger numbers, based in Dublin.
Ryanair is Europe's largest ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) by passenger numbers. Based in Dublin, it runs a vast network connecting 200+ cities across Europe and North Africa. A uniform Boeing 737 MAX/800 fleet and relentless cost control deliver its low fares.
Pilots need an EASA ATPL. Note that some are employed under 'pilot placement' or self-employed (Personal Service Company) contract arrangements rather than direct staff contracts.
* 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 |
¥14.5M–¥31M |
¥22.4M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
¥6.5M–¥14.6M |
¥10.3M | Seniority-based |
EUR-denominated; verify with each airline's official recruitment information. Some pilots are engaged via a Personal Service Company (self-employed) arrangement rather than direct staff contracts, and type-rating costs may be partly or fully self-funded. Figures are pre-tax, and actual net income varies by base country.
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 | ¥3M–¥4.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥6.5M–¥10.1M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥8.8M–¥12.3M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥11M–¥14.6M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥14.5M–¥21.9M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥19.1M–¥26.4M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥23.6M–¥31M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From Dublin, Stansted and 30+ bases across all of Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, etc.) plus North Africa (Morocco). Short-haul focused.
Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 and 737-800. ~600 aircraft — one of the world's largest single-type fleets.
Uses EASA-certified ATOs. At LCCs, type-rating costs may be partly or fully self-funded depending on contract — confirm terms.
Line training under an instructor captain after type rating. Short-haul-heavy LCC operations let pilots build legs relatively quickly.
1–2 checks per year to EASA standards. LCCs meet the same safety standards as legacy carriers.
FO-to-captain upgrade typically requires 4,000–5,000+ hours. LCCs can offer more frequent upgrade opportunities.
Discounted travel on Ryanair flights (LCC-level discounts).
Sector-linked productivity bonus — more flight hours mean higher earnings.
Choose your base city from 30+ bases across Europe (subject to availability).
EU-directive compliant; specifics vary by base country law.
High-tempo short-haul flying can open earlier paths to command.
All-737 fleet simplifies training and roster flexibility.
Hiring status: Actively hiring — Europe's largest-scale pilot recruitment. EASA ATPL required.
Some contract types (pilot placement / self-employed) require self-funding the type rating. Confirm the employment arrangement carefully before applying.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair 🇮🇪 | ¥14.5M–¥31M | ¥6.5M–¥14.6M | 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.
Ryanair captain pay averages about ¥22.4M per year (range ¥14.5M–¥31M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Ryanair first officer pay averages about ¥10.3M per year (range ¥6.5M–¥14.6M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer — Continuous Recruitment — European routes; many bases available.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL (mutual recognition possible); English: ICAO Level 4+; Min Hours: FO: 500h+ (CPL held); Captain: 4,000h+; Type: B737 preferred; type cost may be self-funded. Some contract types (pilot placement / self-employed) require self-funding the type rating. Confirm the employment arrangement carefully before applying.
Ryanair captains average ¥22.4M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.