Wages for airplane pilots depend on the type and size of the airplane flown. Pilots may earn extra pay for night and international flights.

Most airline pilots are members of a union. Those who work for one major airline join the Allied Pilots Association. The rest belong to the Airline Pilots Association, International. Some flight engineers join the Flight Engineers' International Association.

Pilots usually receive benefits such as life and health insurance and a retirement plan. Pilots receive an expense allowance for every hour they are away from home. Airlines may provide allowances to purchase and clean uniforms. Pilots and their immediate family members may receive free airline travel.

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers (SOC 53-2011)

Location	Pay Period
		25%	Median	75%
Illinois	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$198,203	(1)	(1)
Cook County	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$198,203	(1)	(1)
United States	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$142,770	$219,140	(2)

(1) Wage estimate isn't available.(2) Wages are greater than $115/hour or $239,200/year.

Commercial pilots (SOC 53-2012)

Location	Pay Period
		25%	Median	75%
Illinois	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	(1)	(1)	(1)
Champaign Area	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$64,262	$72,229	$74,646
Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$47,547	$78,165	$84,092
Cook County	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$168,892	$231,612	(1)
Du Page County	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$68,775	$114,035	$196,383
Edwardsville Area	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$76,444	$90,770	$94,719
Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$81,122	$82,023	$118,776
Lake County	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$158,172	$221,254	$223,417
Springfield Area	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$71,670	$77,536	$97,892
United States	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$79,440	$113,080	$168,700

(1) Wage estimate isn't available.