Miami-based pilot reveals what he actually makes at American Airlines, and people can’t believe it’s legal

A Miami-based pilot employed by American Airlines sparked a wave of discussion online after revealing his earnings on Reddit’s r/Salary forum. According to the now-deleted post, the pilot’s year-to-date take-home pay stood at a staggering $457,894.51, a figure that quickly caught the attention of thousands before the post was removed.

As is often the case on r/Salary on Reddit, users share their pay for a variety of reasons. Some aim to lift the veil on compensation in traditionally opaque industries and help others negotiate better contracts, while others are simply candid, or unapologetic, about what they earn. This particular post, however, struck a nerve, drawing unusually high engagement as commenters debated pilot pay, work schedules, and the long road to reaching such numbers.

While the salary figure has not been independently verified, it broadly aligns with what senior pilots at major US airlines are known to earn. According to Daily Dot, industry data and anecdotal reports suggest that captains with more than a decade of experience at legacy carriers like American Airlines can approach, and in some cases exceed, the high six-figure mark, especially when factoring in overtime, premium routes, and favourable contracts.

Becoming an airline pilot requires years of training and experience

American Airlines pays new pilot hires an average of $90,000 per year. Captains earn at least $135,000 per year, and many make over $235,000 annually. But reaching that level takes serious effort and time.

Pilots need special training and certifications before they can fly commercially. They must log at least 1,500 flight hours before joining a regional airline owned by American Airlines. Other major commercial airlines have similar requirements. Miami workers in other industries have also shared shocking stories about their income.

The training process is long and expensive. Pilots spend years building up their flight hours and getting the right certifications. Only after meeting all these requirements can they apply to work for major airlines like American Airlines.

People had mixed reactions to the pilot’s salary. Some thought $457,894 was too much money for any job. Others felt differently about the amount. Working in Miami comes with its own challenges, as one 64-year-old photographer discovered through medical complications.

Many commenters believed the salary was actually too low for the job’s responsibilities. One person on social media said pilots making $450,000 seem underpaid, and that $750,000 would be more appropriate. Another pointed out that pilots only get paid for flight hours, work irregular schedules, need constant training, and are responsible for hundreds of lives at 35,000 feet in the air.