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Pilot Salary in the UAE

Q: How much do pilots earn in the UAE?

Across the 2 airlines we list in the UAE, captains average $222K ($188K–$375K) and first officers average $159K ($119K–$209K). That is about 43% above the $155K captain average across all 112 airlines we track.

Q: How does it compare with Japanese airlines?

Captains at the 26 Japanese airlines we list average $116K. The UAE at $222K is $106K higher.

2 airlines based in the United Arab Emirates, compared on captain and first officer averages and ranges. Civil aviation authority: GCAA.

2 airlines #5 of 51 countries No income tax

Captain average

¥3,550万

¥3,000万〜6,000万

First officer average

¥2,550万

¥1,900万〜3,350万

vs world average

+43%

world avg ¥2,480万

Top payer

Emirates

captain ¥3,700万

Pilot salary by airline in the UAE

Sorted by captain average, highest first. Click an airline for its pay breakdown, fleet, hiring requirements and reviews from working pilots. Note that the UAE levies no personal income tax, so these figures are close to take-home.

Airline	Captain avg	Captain range	F/O avg	F/O range
Emirates	¥3,700万	¥3,350万〜5,050万	¥2,800万	¥2,500万〜3,350万
Etihad Airways	¥3,400万	¥3,000万〜6,000万	¥2,300万	¥1,900万〜3,100万

Where the UAE sits worldwide

Captain averages side by side. The UAE sits at ¥3,550万 against a ¥2,480万 average across all 112 airlines — about 43% above. That places it 5th of the 51 countries covered.

World average

¥2,480万

Japan

¥1,850万

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

¥3,550万

🇺🇸 United States

¥4,380万

🇨🇭 Switzerland

¥4,100万

🇳🇱 Netherlands

¥3,960万

Country figures are the unweighted mean of captain averages for the airlines we list there. World first officer average: ¥1,400万 across 112 airlines.

Compare other countries

To see the whole region at once, go to pilot salary in the Middle East — 9 airlines across 7 countries, captains averaging ¥3,030万.

Frequently asked questions

How much do pilots earn in the UAE?

Across the 2 airlines we list in the UAE, captains average ¥3,550万 (¥3,000万〜6,000万) and first officers average ¥2,550万 (¥1,900万〜3,350万). That is about 43% above the ¥2,480万 captain average across all 112 airlines we track.

Which airline in the UAE pays pilots the most?

Of the 2 airlines listed, Emirates pays the most: captains average ¥3,700万 (¥3,350万〜5,050万) and first officers ¥2,800万.

How does the UAE rank worldwide for pilot pay?

Ranked by captain average across the 51 countries we cover, the UAE is number 5. The world average is ¥2,480万; the UAE sits at ¥3,550万.

Is pilot pay in the UAE tax-free?

The UAE levies no personal income tax, so the figures shown are close to take-home. Against an identical gross salary in a country that taxes income, the amount you actually keep is materially higher.

How does it compare with Japanese airlines?

Captains at the 26 Japanese airlines we list average ¥1,850万. The UAE at ¥3,550万 is ¥1,700万 higher.

Where to next

All countries All 112 airlines Pilot salary guide Overseas jobs