Get ready to push the throttle on one of the most amazing careers out there. Imagine soaring the skies as a skilled, licensed pilot and jetting off to amazing, far-off destinations all around the world. No matter where your work takes you, we know you鈥檒l be loving the view.
Salary Expectations
The following information is applicable to all air pilots, including charter pilots and flying instructors.
| Job Title | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Air Pilot | $20.50 - $110.58 |
Earnings are based on hours flown which will increase dependent upon experience, years of service, hours flown, the aircraft, location, and weather. Some positions may also include benefits, retention bonus, per diem, and other additional pay rates.*
Air Canada
After 3-5 years, pilots with Air Canada can upgrade to a narrowbody Captain with an average salary of $215,000 - $290,000 plus expenses. Upgrading to a widebody Captain typically takes 11-15 years with an average salary range of $315,000 - $350,000 plus expenses. The airline also offers comprehensive benefits, including a pension plan and an Annual Incentive Plan.**
Air Canada pilot baseline salaries are among the highest in Canada as experience and years of service increase, however the first four years of pilot pay with Air Canada is a fixed rate pay, regardless of the plane flown. Air Canada annual salaries are based on 75 hours of flying time, which the airline guarantees as the minimum number of hours a pilot is paid for. New pilots with Air Canada can expect to make $57,375 in their first year and Captains with a lot of seniority and who choose to do overtime can earn over $400,000.*
Porter Airlines
The average pilot salary with Porter is $119,322 per year, with the high range of the salary at $265,000 per year.***
Porter expects to welcome over 1,200 new pilots in the next 4 years, with the fastest upgrade to a narrow-body jet Captain role in Canada.****
*Canadian Flight Trainers (myflighttraining.ca)
**Air Canada (2025 Job Posting)
***Indeed
****Porter Airlines (2025 Job Posting)
Labour Market Conditions
Air Pilot
This occupation group is expected to face a strong risk of labour shortage from 2024-2033 in Canada. In Ontario, the employment outlook for pilots will be good, with employment growth leading to several new positions and a moderate number of positions becoming available from retirements. There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Employment is found with air transportation companies, federal government, and educational services. The main trends affecting employment for this occupation include improvement in the level of global air travel and the addition of new routes, along with an increase in the frequency of flights to already existing destinations. Air pilots typically start working for small regional airlines, and progression to larger commercial airlines is possible with experience.