The jointly owned airline of the three Scandinavian nations.
An SAS Scandinavian Airlines captain earns an average of $167K per year, typically $140K–$199K. First officers average $72K ($47K–$94K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines is the flag carrier jointly funded by three countries — Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. From its hubs in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, it serves all of Europe as well as North America and Asia, and it is a member of Star Alliance. In 2022 the airline filed for protection under U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy law, and after going through restructuring proceedings it relaunched in 2024. It is currently being rebuilt under the ownership of Aqua Partners (Castard and Apollo).
* 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 |
$140K–$199K |
$167K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$47K–$94K |
$72K | Seniority-based |
Pay is denominated in EUR (including portions of SEK/DKK/NOK converted into EUR) and shown at an assumed rate of EUR/JPY = 163. Nordic income tax is among the highest in the world (top marginal rate of 55–56%), but this is offset by an extensive high-welfare social system. Pay progresses on a seniority-based system. All figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks; conditions following the 2024 restructuring should be verified with the airline's official recruitment information.
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 | $47K–$68K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $60K–$81K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $73K–$94K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $140K–$167K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $157K–$182K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $172K–$199K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its hubs in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, SAS serves North America (New York, Chicago, etc.), Asia (Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, etc.), and all of Europe.
Airbus A350-900, A330-300, A321LR/neo, A320neo. Approximately 130 aircraft (fleet under restructuring).
Type rating obtained at an EASA-certified Approved Training Organization (ATO). Ground school → simulator (including MCC) → LIFUS.
After obtaining the type rating, Line Flying Under Supervision is conducted with an instructor captain on board. Typically around 50–80 legs (in accordance with EASA FCL.060).
Proficiency Checks (PC) once or twice a year, to EASA FCL.625/735 standards. Supervised by the respective national CAAs (CAA UK / DGAC / LBA, etc.).
After a period as SFO / Senior F/O, pilots undergo captain training. Additional qualifications such as LVP (Low Visibility Procedures), PBN, ETOPS, and RVSM are also obtained.
Heavily discounted or free tickets for the employee and family. Also usable on alliance partner carriers.
High-standard European health insurance. Loss-of-license insurance is also common.
Performance-linked bonus (equivalent to 2–4 months' salary per year). In some cases tied to individual performance evaluations.
25–35 days per year. Generous leave provisions 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. For major European cities, the high-cost-area allowance tends to be higher.
Benefits from the three Nordic countries' comprehensive public healthcare, parental leave, and pension systems. Income tax is high, but social security is generous.
Hiring status: Following the 2024 restructuring, hiring has resumed. Check the official website for the latest status.
Hiring resumed after the 2022–2024 restructuring process. Terms and conditions may fluctuate depending on union negotiations.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines 🇸🇪 | $140K–$199K | $47K–$94K | 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.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines captain pay averages about $167K per year (range $140K–$199K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines first officer pay averages about $72K per year (range $47K–$94K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (Regular Intake) — International operations. Copenhagen / Stockholm base.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL (recognized by national CAAs); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: 5,000h+ for Captain; Type Rating: A350 / A330 / A321 preferred. Hiring resumed after the 2022–2024 restructuring process. Terms and conditions may fluctuate depending on union negotiations.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines captains average $167K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, SAS Scandinavian Airlines captains earn about $14K a month and first officers about $6K. 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.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines first officers average $72K and captains $167K — a step of about $94K, or roughly 2.3×. The full range runs $47K to $199K, 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 $167K and first officers $72K 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 Sweden 1 airline · captain avg $167K