What Is the Salary of a Pilot in Canada? 2026 Salaries Explained

The Government of Canada’s Job Bank reports a median pilot wage of $52 an hour, with low and high estimates of $24.04 and $106 an hour. However, these figures combine different jobs, including airline flying and flight instruction. [1]

As you plan your training, keep that distinction in mind. Your first paid flying job can look very different from a senior airline captain’s position. Published examples range from modest instructor rates to captain salaries above $300,000 a year.

To answer “What is the salary of a pilot in Canada?”, let’s work through those examples. Whether you’re considering your first lesson or already training, you’ll see how the numbers relate to the path ahead.

Information checked October 22, 2026. Amounts are gross Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise. Published pay examples describe specific roles and conditions. They do not guarantee employment or earnings.

What Is the Salary of a Pilot in Canada in 2026?

First, use Job Bank’s figures to understand the broad wage picture:

National occupational wage estimates. The table above supplies the exact data. [1,2]

These estimates fall under NOC 72600, the occupational group for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors. Job Bank updated them on November 19, 2025, using 2023-2024 Labour Force Survey data nationally. In other words, this 2026 pilot salary guide draws on earlier wage observations. [1]

The median is the middle of the wage distribution: roughly half earn less and half earn more. Meanwhile, the low and high figures usually represent the 10th and 90th percentiles. They describe points near either end of the distribution, rather than official starting and senior salaries. [2]

When you search for the average pilot salary in Canada, you may also find annual estimates from job websites. Because the samples and methods differ, the answers can differ too. Before using a figure in your training budget, check which jobs and career stages it covers.

Also, take care with an airline’s hourly rate. Multiplying it by a regular 40-hour working week can give you a misleading annual salary. Instead, check its pay credits, the units used to calculate pay. We’ll walk through an example below.

Pilot Salaries in Canada by Job Type

Next, connect the numbers to actual flying jobs. Your commercial pilot salary will depend heavily on the role you qualify for. These are individual employer examples, not national salary ranges.

Sources: Select Aviation, Propair’s Job Bank advertisement, Ontario Public Service, Jazz, AirSprint, Cargojet’s employer advertisement and Air Canada recruitment material. [3–9]

Flight Instructor Salary in Canada

If you enjoy helping others learn, flight instruction may interest you. Before comparing instructor pay, check what the rate covers. Select Aviation’s advertised starting rate, for example, does not establish your guaranteed paid hours or annual income. [3]

Before accepting an offer, ask whether preparation, briefings, ground instruction and time between lessons are paid. Also check guaranteed hours, benefits and employment status. To explore the teaching path, see our Flight Instructor Rating.

Bush and Floatplane Pilot Salaries

Bush flying can take you to remote communities, resource operations and locations outside major airline networks. A floatplane operates from water using floats in place of conventional landing gear.

For example, Ontario’s January 2026 Turbo Beaver advertisement listed weekly pay for a seasonal assignment. It required 2,000 total flying hours, including 500 float hours as pilot-in-command, the pilot responsible for the flight. The competition was later cancelled, so treat it as a pay example, not an available vacancy. [5]

With seasonal work, check expected paid weeks, housing and travel arrangements before estimating annual income.

Charter and Corporate Pilot Salaries

Charter flights serve a customer’s particular trip. Corporate aviation serves business or private travel, while fractional operations let customers share access to aircraft. Medevac flying transports patients who need medical care.

For example, AirSprint’s first officer pay changes with the work schedule. Its captain tables also vary by aircraft family and service year. Therefore, compare the relevant role and schedule when assessing an offer. One private aviation salary cannot describe every charter or medevac job. [7]

Cargo Pilot Salaries

If cargo flying interests you, look closely at the operation. A smaller freight aircraft and a large cargo jet can involve different qualifications, schedules and pay.

Cargojet’s advertised $180,345 Level 1 captain compensation is one example. Also, check the date on any pay scale you find. Its new pilot collective agreement took effect July 1, 2026, so older online tables may need updating. [8,10]

How Much Do Airline Pilots Make in Canada?

For a useful airline pilot salary comparison, start with the employer and position. The examples below show why your career stage matters:

Jazz’s figures use an average of 82.5 monthly credits, with a July 1, 2026 reference. Air Canada’s captain examples are not new-hire first officer salaries. [6,9]

First Officer Salary in Canada

A first officer is a qualified pilot who works alongside the captain. Both pilots contribute to operating the aircraft safely. As you progress, first officer pay can rise along an employer’s scale, but the rate and progression depend on that employer.

Also, read “starting salary” carefully. Your first airline position may follow earlier paid flying work and additional qualifications. It does not necessarily begin immediately after flight school.

Airline Captain Salary in Canada

The captain holds command responsibility for the flight. Before moving into that role, you must meet the applicable qualifications and complete company training and selection.

Narrowbody jets generally have one passenger aisle, while widebody jets generally have two. Air Canada’s examples show different compensation for these captain categories. For now, use them to understand later career possibilities rather than predict your earnings after training. [9]

Regional Airline vs. Major Airline Salaries

Regional airlines and major airlines can have separate pay agreements and career structures. As a result, pilots with similar licences can earn different amounts.

First, compare starting first officer offers with each other. Then look at progression within each airline. Comparing one airline’s first officer pay with another’s experienced captain earnings tells you little about your first few years.

Examples From Canadian Airlines

Alongside the Jazz and Air Canada examples, review each airline’s hiring requirements. For instance, WestJet says fleet movement and upgrades follow seniority. Its published requirements also differ between Encore and mainline roles. [11]

Your Commercial Pilot Licence, or CPL, is one stage in this path. As you plan your training, keep those later requirements in view.

How Much Do New Pilots Earn in Canada?

Your starting commercial pilot salary in Canada depends on the job you qualify for and the employer that hires you. There is no single national starting rate for a new CPL holder.

For example, Propair’s July 2026 co-pilot advertisement listed $48,000 a year. However, it also required one to two years of experience and commercial and instrument qualifications. You would need to meet those requirements before treating it as a realistic job option. [4]

Possible early paths include instruction with the required instructor rating, aerial survey and suitable commercial co-pilot positions. Other jobs, including some bush and charter roles, require substantial experience before you can apply.

Before comparing pay, read the qualifications carefully. Ask:

• Does the employer accept pilots with my total flight time?
• Which ratings and types of experience are required?
• Is there guaranteed pay, or does income depend on paid flying or teaching hours?
• Are relocation, housing or training costs involved?
• What duties and schedule come with the role?

If you’re already training, use these questions to research your next step. Your first position should fit your finances and the experience you want to build. Meanwhile, keep senior captain earnings out of your first-year budget.

What Determines a Pilot’s Salary in Canada?

The main factors are position, seniority, aircraft and employer. Your qualifications also help determine which jobs you can pursue in the first place.

• Position: A captain and first officer can earn different amounts within the same operation.
• Seniority: Your place and years of service within a company can affect pay progression and access to positions.
• Aircraft: Pay scales may distinguish between aircraft types or fleets.
• Employer: Flight schools, charter companies and airlines use different compensation arrangements.
• Experience: Employers may require particular total time, command time or experience on certain aircraft.
• Schedule: Work rotations, additional assignments and overtime can affect earnings and time away from home.

As you build flight hours, remember what they do for you. They may help you meet a hiring requirement, while the employer’s pay agreement determines the rate for the position. More hours alone do not automatically increase airline pay.

For example, WestJet’s seniority guidance and AirSprint’s salary tables show how company rules shape pay and progression after hiring. [7,11]

With that in mind, choose additional training for the work you want to do. A Multi-Engine Rating qualifies you to fly multi-engine aeroplanes.

An Instrument Rating supports flying under instrument flight rules, using instruments and approved procedures when outside visual references are limited. Neither rating guarantees a particular salary.

How Are Airline Pilots Paid?

Before comparing airline pilot salaries with another job’s pay, check how the earnings are calculated. Airlines can use contractual flight credits and guarantees, so their hourly rates differ from ordinary clock-hour wages.

Flight Hours vs. Credit Hours

Flight time is the time recorded for operating the aircraft on a flight. Duty time also includes assigned work outside the flight itself. Credit hours are units used to calculate pay under an agreement. They may account for more than actual flying.

A monthly guarantee is the minimum pay credit available under specified contract conditions. However, check those conditions carefully, especially during training, leave or a partial month.

Consider this hypothetical calculation:

In this example, $100 × 75 × 12 = $90,000. Use the calculation to understand pay credits. The figures are hypothetical, rather than an advertised airline salary or a prediction of your earnings.

Base Salary, Overtime and Additional Pay

An agreement may also provide premiums or additional pay above base compensation. For example, WestJet publishes an overtime threshold starting at 85 credit hours for mainline pilots. Check the detailed rules before adding overtime to your budget. [11]

Benefits, Per Diem and Pensions

Also compare healthcare, retirement contributions and allowances. For example, Jazz lists meal per diems separately from salary. These allowances help cover travel expenses, so do not automatically count them as extra salary. [6]

Do Pilot Salaries Vary by Province in Canada?

Yes, although province alone cannot tell you what an offer will pay. Job Bank reports these occupational median wages:

Source: Job Bank, NOC 72600. The wage release was updated November 19, 2025; underlying reference periods and estimation methods can differ by location. [1]

Because these figures describe different mixes of work, moving provinces does not automatically give you the difference between two medians.

For your own planning, compare actual offers and pay agreements. Then factor in living costs, commuting, relocation and the location of your assigned base.

If you’re exploring training in Grande Prairie or Fort St. John, our flight school can help you understand the available paths.

How to Become a Paid Pilot in Canada

You need the appropriate licence, medical certificate, qualifications and employer approval for the work. Next, let’s connect those requirements to the conventional aeroplane training path.

One conventional route, with optional career branches. Total flight hours alone do not meet every licensing requirement. [12]

Start With Flight Training and a Private Pilot Licence

First, an introductory flight lets you explore the cockpit before making a larger commitment. Your Private Pilot Licence, or PPL, then builds a foundation in aircraft handling, navigation and safe decisions.

Because professional flying has medical requirements, discuss your eligibility early with an aviation medical examiner.

Earn a Commercial Pilot Licence

Next, work toward your CPL. For the conventional aeroplane route, Transport Canada’s requirements include a minimum age of 18, a Category 1 medical certificate, 200 total flight hours, ground school, a written examination and a flight test. Specific experience and training requirements also apply. Approved integrated courses follow their own applicable standards. [12]

Build Experience and Add Relevant Ratings

A rating adds a qualification for particular flying or teaching. For example, your intended work may call for instruction, multi-engine or instrument qualifications. Choose a path that fits the jobs you want to pursue.

At Adventure Aviation, we offer these rating paths. Before deciding what to add, review your current experience and goals with an instructor.

Qualify for More Advanced Flying Jobs

As your experience grows, you can research more advanced roles and their requirements. An Airline Transport Pilot Licence, or ATPL, has a 1,500-hour total flight-time requirement for aeroplanes. However, specific experience categories and other requirements also apply. Reaching the total alone is not enough. [12]

You do not need an ATPL for every paid flying position. Instead, check the requirements for your intended job rather than treating licences as automatic salary steps.

If you’re still considering your first lesson, a Discovery Flight lets you experience instructor-guided flying before choosing a full training path.

Is Becoming a Pilot Worth the Training Investment?

It can be a rewarding career, but the financial decision depends on your goals, costs and employment options.

First, build your budget around the full path from your current experience to the work you hope to do. An advertised course estimate may cover only one part.

For example, our published CPL minimum-course estimate excludes some hour-building costs. Adding the PPL and CPL headline prices together would therefore miss part of the potential investment. Review our detailed CPL costs and requirements and request a current training estimate. [13]

Also consider aircraft time, ratings, medical examinations, tests, living costs and any financing charges that apply to you. Allow room for training beyond the minimum and a period of job searching.

Then compare your budget with realistic early career income. Work out what you could manage if your first job pays less, begins later or requires relocation. This helps you make a training decision without relying on future captain earnings.

Are Pilots in Demand in Canada?

Government projections point to a strong risk of labour shortage in this occupational group. The Canadian Occupational Projection System’s 2024-2033 forecast projects:

• 8,700 job openings from growth and replacement needs.
• 5,300 new job seekers entering the occupation.

However, these totals cover air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors across a decade. They are not current airline vacancies. The government also says updated 2026-2035 projections are being released progressively from fall 2026. The pilot figures shown when checked remained for 2024-2033. [14]

Even with a positive forecast, you still need to meet each operator’s requirements and complete its selection and training process. Employers may also hire at different times.

Next, use actual job advertisements alongside the forecast to explore your options. If you’re already training, compare the advertised requirements with your current qualifications. That gives you a practical starting point for a conversation with your instructor.

Your First Step Toward a Pilot Career

As you compare pilot salaries in Canada, focus on the next step you can understand and plan for. Your future earnings will depend on the work you qualify for, the employer and how your career develops.

You do not need to choose your entire career before your first flight. During our Discovery Flight, you’ll meet an instructor, see the aircraft, ask questions and take the controls with guidance. The full experience takes about 1.5 hours, including time on the ground. It can also be credited toward later PPL training. [15]

Book a Discovery Flight.

Your Flight Begins with Us.

Questions About Pilot Salaries in Canada

Source notes

[1] Government of Canada Job Bank, wages for NOC 72600, national and provincial figures. Wage update November 19, 2025. National reference period 2023-2024; checked October 22, 2026. View source

[2] Job Bank, Questions and Answers on Wages, methodology and percentile definitions. View source

[3] Select Aviation College, Class 4 Flight Instructor employer advertisement. Starting rate as displayed when checked October 22, 2026; no guaranteed annual amount stated. View source

[4] Propair Inc., co-pilot employer advertisement, Job Bank #3631417, posted July 27, 2026. View source

[5] Ontario Public Service, Turbo Beaver Pilot posting #240281, posted January 19, 2026; pay update effective December 22, 2025. Competition subsequently cancelled. Historical pay example only. View source

[6] Jazz Aviation, Pilot Recruitment, pay based on average monthly credit of 82.5, July 1, 2026 reference. View source

[7] AirSprint, How Much Money Do Pilots Make in Canada, employer salary tables checked October 22, 2026. View source

[8] Cargojet Airways Ltd., Captain employer advertisement hosted on Indeed, Level 1 annual compensation checked October 22, 2026. View source

[9] Air Canada, pilot recruitment materials, employer-described captain salary examples checked October 22, 2026. View source and View source

[10] Cargojet, Cargojet Receives Arbitration Award, July 27, 2026. New agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. View source

[11] WestJet, Pilot Careers, seniority, hiring requirements and overtime information checked October 22, 2026. View source

[12] Transport Canada, Standard 421, sections 421.30 and 421.34, checked October 22, 2026. View source

[13] Adventure Aviation, Commercial Pilot Licence course and cost exclusions, checked October 22, 2026. View source

[14] ESDC, Canadian Occupational Projection System, NOC 72600, 2024-2033 forecast and update notice, checked October 22, 2026. View source

[15] Adventure Aviation, Discovery Flight, duration, activities and PPL credit, checked October 22, 2026. View source