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The airline industry in the United States offers a wide range of pilot career paths, from regional airlines to global legacy carriers such as 
Delta Air Lines and 
United Airlines. Between these two extremes sits a fast-growing segment of the industry: low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers. The main players in this section of the market are Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Each of these airlines have built business models focused on lower fares, dense aircraft seating, and point-to-point route networks. While their tickets are often cheaper than those of legacy airlines, the pilots who fly these aircraft still earn competitive salaries that have risen sharply over the past decade.
Pilot compensation has become a major topic across the industry in recent years. A pilot shortage that intensified during the early 2020s pushed airlines to negotiate new union contracts and improve pay in order to attract new and retain existing flight crews. As a result, even low-cost carriers that historically lagged behind the largest airlines in compensation have increased hourly pay rates and improved benefits packages. The result is a pay scale that can start near six figures for new hires and reach well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for experienced captains.
How Pilot Pay Works On Low-Cost Carriers
Shutterstock | Simple Flying
Pilot salaries depend heavily on seniority, position, and the number of flight hours flown each month. This is typical throughout the industry, including with the large legacy carriers. Airline pilots in the United States are typically paid on an hourly basis rather than a fixed annual salary. The hourly rate varies depending on a pilot’s role, the type of aircraft flown, and the pilot’s seniority within the airline. First officers, also known as co-pilots, receive a lower hourly rate when they begin their careers. As they gain years of service, their pay increases at a predetermined scale defined in union contracts.
Most airlines guarantee a minimum number of paid flight hours each month. For many low-cost carriers, this guarantee ranges from around 70 to 75 hours. Even if a pilot flies fewer hours due to scheduling or operational factors, they are still paid for the minimum guarantee. This system provides a predictable income while allowing pilots to earn more by picking up additional flying or overtime. Pilots also receive compensation beyond their base hourly rate. Additional income may come from per diem allowances during trips, holiday pay, training pay, and bonuses for extra flights. Per diem payments at low-cost carriers generally range from two to three dollars per hour while traveling, covering food and incidental expenses. Over the course of a year, these additional payments can add thousands of dollars to a pilot’s total earnings. Aside from the guaranteed monthly hours and per diem rates, this pay structure is nearly identical to that of legacy airlines.
Allegiant Air Salaries
Allegiant Air is one of the most distinctive low-cost carriers in the United States. The airline focuses primarily on leisure routes connecting smaller cities with major vacation destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, and Florida beach markets. Because the airline operates many out-and-back routes that allow pilots to return home the same day, its schedule structure is often seen as appealing for pilots seeking better work-life balance.
In terms of pay, Allegiant has historically offered lower starting salaries than some of its ultra-low-cost competitors. A first-year first officer at the airline earns approximately $57.67 per hour, which translates to roughly $48,500 per year when factoring in the minimum flight hours typically guaranteed each month. As pilots gain experience, their pay increases steadily, with mid-career first officers earning well above six figures annually.
For captains, the pay scale rises substantially. A first-year captain can earn around $163 per hour, while the hourly rate can reach about $230 by the twelfth year of service. Depending on the number of hours flown, senior captains can earn close to $195,000 per year or more before additional compensation such as overtime or bonuses. These earnings place Allegiant pilots solidly within the middle range of compensation among low-cost carriers in the United States.
|
Allegiant Air Pilot Hourly Pay by Year |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Years of Experience |
First Officer ($/hr) |
Captain ($/hr) |
|
1 |
57 |
163 |
|
2 |
102 |
170 |
|
3 |
110 |
176 |
|
4 |
116 |
184 |
|
5 |
122 |
191 |
|
6 |
128 |
197 |
|
7 |
134 |
202 |
|
8 |
138 |
209 |
|
9 |
143 |
214 |
|
10 |
147 |
219 |
|
11 |
150 |
223 |
|
12+ |
154 |
230 |
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Frontier Airlines Salaries
Frontier Airlines has positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing ultra-low-cost carriers in North America. Known for its distinctive animal-themed aircraft liveries and large fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft, the airline has expanded rapidly over the past decade. This growth has required a steady stream of new pilots, which, in turn, has influenced compensation levels.
Compared with Allegiant, Frontier generally offers higher starting pay for first officers. The airline’s first-year first officer rate is roughly $100 per hour, which equates to about $90,000 per year based on typical minimum flight hours. This relatively high entry-level pay has made Frontier an attractive destination for pilots transitioning from regional airlines.
As pilots gain seniority at Frontier, their pay increases steadily. By the time a pilot reaches captain status and gains several years of experience, hourly pay can exceed $200. Senior captains at the airline can earn approximately $270 per hour, translating into annual compensation that can exceed $240,000 depending on flight hours and additional pay opportunities. This puts Frontier among the better-paying airlines in the ultra-low-cost sector.
Spirit Airlines Salaries
Spirit Airlines has long been one of the most recognizable names in the ultra-low-cost airline market. With its bright yellow aircraft and highly unbundled ticket pricing model, the airline has built a reputation for offering extremely low fares across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Despite the airline’s budget-focused image, its pilots earn competitive salaries relative to other low-cost carriers. New first officers at Spirit typically start at around $97 per hour. With minimum guaranteed flight hours factored in, this results in annual earnings of roughly $84,000 in the first year. As pilots gain experience and seniority, their pay increases significantly. By year twelve, a first officer can earn more than $200,000 annually, depending on hours flown and other compensation.
Captain salaries at Spirit are even higher. Senior captains can earn approximately $312 per hour, which can translate into annual compensation approaching $270,000 under typical scheduling assumptions. This places Spirit among the highest-paying airlines within the ultra-low-cost segment, though financial challenges and restructuring efforts have occasionally created uncertainty around future pay and contract terms.
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Seniority, Career Progression, and Industry Trends
One of the most important factors influencing pilot pay at the airlines is seniority. Unlike many other professions, airline pilots advance their careers primarily based on the amount of time they have spent with a specific airline. Each year of service typically comes with a predetermined pay increase, allowing pilots to gradually move up the salary scale as they gain experience. Salary is not the only improvement that comes with increased seniority status. Pilots also enjoy scheduling advantages, which can be used to bolster pay, and to give senior pilots the ability to truly create the schedule they desire.
In the early years of a pilot’s career at a low-cost carrier, these pay increases can be substantial. A first officer who begins with a salary near $80,000 or $90,000 may see their earnings rise to well above $150,000 within several years. When pilots upgrade to captain, the increase can be even more dramatic. The jump from first officer to captain often doubles a pilot’s hourly rate, making it one of the most significant milestones in an airline career.
Broader industry trends have also played a major role in shaping pilot pay. A persistent pilot shortage throughout the early 2020s forced airlines to compete more aggressively for qualified candidates. Many carriers negotiated new union contracts that raised pay rates and improved benefits. Even airlines that once paid significantly less than legacy carriers have increased salaries in order to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining pilots.
Final Thoughts
Pilot salaries at low-cost airlines in the US have risen significantly over the past decade. While these carriers once paid noticeably less than legacy airlines, new labor contracts and industry competition have narrowed the gap. What is similar between all carriers, legacy and low-cost, is that seniority is king. Every pilot can attest to this fact. Simply put, the longer you stay with an airline, the more money you will make.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, pilot compensation will likely remain a central issue. Low-cost carriers must balance the need to maintain competitive fares with the need to attract skilled pilots in a competitive labor market. For many pilots, however, these airlines offer a career path that combines strong earning potential with opportunities for advancement and stable long-term employment.
