Data from United Airlines’ 2025 pilot salaries reveals that the carrier’s Boeing 787 pilots typically earn more than its Boeing 777 pilots. This is primarily due to the Dreamliner’s greater complexity and the fact that more experienced pilots are at the controls. Learn more about this differential below, and how some airlines, such as American Airlines, continue to pay their 777 and 787 pilots the same basic salary. This difference may become less significant once the 777X arrives, as the more complex aircraft is likely to require pilots with higher salaries. Yet, as no US carrier has made a 777X order, this will likely not be a factor in American pilots’ salaries.

The aircraft flown isn’t the only factor that determines an American pilot’s wage. Examples include their seniority within the airline, their experience, and how many flight hours they rack up per annum. Pilots also look for great benefits outside their salary when choosing an airline, such as the quality of the 401(k).

Why The 787 Commands A Higher Rate

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There are a number of reasons that the 787 is a more desirable aircraft for experienced pilots to fly, coming with boosted salaries. This goes beyond the usual premiums made for widebody and long-haul routes compared with the simpler and shorter routes operated by narrowbody crew. The main reason is that the 787 is an aircraft with a “more-electric” architecture, boosting the level of expertise required. Traditional pneumatic bleed-air systems have been replaced with electrically driven systems, changing how pilots interact with the jet. It is now the pilot’s job to monitor electrical loads, system redundancy, and automated responses, rather than operating pneumatic controls.

It also tends to be the most experienced and higher-earning pilots who get 787 routes due to the way that seniority-based bidding mechanics work. Pilots need years of building experience before they can secure routes on cutting-edge aircraft like the 787. That means while the 787 commands a premium, it is also flown by pilots who are likely to have higher salaries anyway.

The complexity of a 787 doesn’t mean it is always a harder aircraft to fly. A 787’s cabin is pressurized to an altitude equivalent to 6,000 ft (1,830 m), compared with 8,000 ft (2,440 m) for older aircraft like the 777. The thinner and drier air leads to a buildup of fatigue and worsened jet lag. While short-haul pilots are less concerned about these problems, 787 and 777 routes can exceed ten hours, giving pilots plenty of time to begin feeling the cognitive effects.

The Pattern Is Seen Clearest At United

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The clearest gap between 777 and 787 pilot salaries is experienced by United’s pilots. Simple Flying’s Antonio Di Trapani reported in November 2025 that a United 777 pilot’s earnings reach $438 per hour at year 12, while Boeing 787 captains at equivalent seniority receive approximately $465 per hour, an hourly differential of almost $30. The additional wage means that a senior United 787 captain can clear approximately $558,000 annually. This is set to increase to around $598,000 by 2027.

The table below compares United’s fleet of Dreamliners and 777s. The carrier currently has more 777s at 96 with none on order, with the Boeing 777X a notable absence, as is the case with all US carriers. Meanwhile, United has a fleet of 86 Dreamliners with an enormous order sheet for the family:

Due to the combination of seniority and work on an advanced aircraft, United 787 and 777 pilots are among the carrier’s highest earners. In 2025, AviationA2Z reported that United’s first officer starting wage was approximately $120.69 per hour, equivalent to around $144,828 annually. First Officer wages tended to peak at over $300,000. Meanwhile, narrowbody captains could expect to get $447,996 per annum, or $373.33 an hour.

Not All US Carriers Pay 787 Pilots More

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While the 777 and 787 pilot salary difference is significant for United’s employees, it doesn’t exist at American Airlines. The Aero World reports that the standard salary is the same for both 787 and 777 pilots. It starts at $394,963 annually in year one. Year four is the first that exceeds $400,000, increasing to $401,622 annually. The standard wage for such widebody pilots continues to rise steadily, breaking $410,000 in a pilot’s eighth year, and finishing just shy of $420,000 in the pilot’s 12th year.

The table below shows the prevalence of 777s and 787s within American Airlines’ fleet. The carrier has more 787s at 70 aircraft compared with 67 777s. The gap is set to widen with 19 787-9s currently on order and no plans to bring in the 777X:

Despite not receiving an additional salary perk for flying 787s, American pilots will still be motivated to fly the modern aircraft to advance their careers. While gaining experience flying an iconic aircraft, pilots of obsolete 777s could find their careers in the doldrums, as they will need to start again once these outdated aircraft are replaced. Meanwhile, 787 pilots will have an innate knowledge of working with the latest in avionics.

As with United, these pilots earn higher wages than most of their colleagues. According to AviationA2Z, new first officers may earn $106,000 per annum while working a standard 75 flying hours a month. This will increase to a maximum of around $220,000 each year. Becoming a captain with American represents a substantial pay increase of between $291,600 and $369,000 per annum. The highest American captains make around $405,000 to $460,000, with the carrier’s leading pilots making over $500,000 each year.

The Other Factors Determining Widebody Pilots’ Wages

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Even at carriers that pay a premium for Dreamliner service, some 777 Pilots may still take home a higher salary. The most obvious factor is seniority and experience: pilots who have been with an airline the longest and have flown the most hours earn the highest wages. Likewise, pilots who have earned the promotion to captain make significantly more than their more junior first officer colleagues.

Pilots also earn different amounts for each flight as they are paid by block time, from when a jet releases its brakes at the departure gate to when it sets them after landing. Pilots who can maximize their block time will achieve better earnings, although the exact rules negotiated between the pilots’ union and the airline will determine how this mechanism functions.

Each carrier also has a complex web of benefits that will add to the basic salary. Some bonuses are earned for training participation, such as becoming qualified to fly a new jet. A pilot could receive additional annual bonuses based on the airline’s performance. Pilots also consider soft pay, which are small additions to the general salary that can add up to a substantial amount. Examples include their “per diem” allowance for time spent away from base (such as for food), “sector pay” bonuses per flight leg, and other overtime multiples. The final significant benefit is a pilot’s 401(k). In many ways, this is more important than a pilot’s salary as it will determine when they can retire.

Will The 777X Change 777 Pilots’ Wages?

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When it finally arrives, the 777X will be the largest and most complex commercial twin jet, with pilots controlling the largest operational commercial engines. Boeing claims the jet will bring an enormous range of benefits to airlines, including 20% lower fuel use, a 40% lower noise footprint, and 10% lower operating costs. To operate the jet, pilots will have to navigate advanced displays, flight controls, guidance systems, navigation systems, server routers, and surveillance technology. Successfully flying the aircraft will involve meeting these high barriers to entry. As a result, paying 777X pilots less than their 787-flying colleagues will be unacceptable.

No US airlines have currently made orders for the 777X. There is also a chance that the arrival of the 777X augments the market within which older 777 pilots operate, making them more desirable and pushing their wages up even where the 777X is not present. However, until the aircraft arrives, it is impossible to know whether this effect will exist.

This April, Simple Flying’s Paul Hartley reported that the 777X’s entry into service has been confirmed for 2027, following a seven-year, $15 billion delay. However, as Simple Flying reader ‘Carlos’ shrewdly observed in Paul’s article, “I’ve seen this movie before.” Even if it can meet this new deadline, Boeing will still struggle to turn the 777X into a success. The widely cited 777-9 list price is $440 million with $50 million in profit, meaning that Boeing has to sell 300 aircraft to cover the costs it has already incurred.