Flight Instructors

Flight instructors' earnings vary based on factors such as the size and type of employer, the type of aircraft used, and the amount of experience the instructor has. According to Salary.com, flight instructors earned median annual salaries of $102,687 in December 2019. Salaries ranged from less than $86,866 to $127,375 or more. The National Association of Flight Instructors conducted a study in 2013, and found that nearly half of the instructors polled earned an hourly wage that fell approximately between $25 and $50 an hour ($52,000 to $104,000, if working full time). Their yearly income, though, depends on the number of students they have and the amount of time they are actually able to spend teaching. Many instructors take on second jobs to supplement their incomes.