The Truth About Pilot Salaries: CFI to Major Airline Captain

In this episode, Hayden Teteak breaks down the real salary journey from certified flight instructor (CFI) to regional first officer, regional captain, major airline first officer, and major airline captain. We discuss actual pay ranges, signing bonuses, per diems, and retirement contributions, and look at how to maximize your earning potential while managing debt. You'll also hear about the pilot shortage, how new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are creating new pilot jobs, and why increased cockpit automation won't eliminate pilot careers any time soon. Stick around for strategies on networking, understanding union contracts, investing for retirement, and balancing lifestyle with career goals. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✈️ MORE FROM HAYDEN Subscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit. 🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter One    • I Spent 8 Years Becoming an Airline Pilot....   💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITY A place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.   / discord   🌎 CONNECT Website → https://www.haydenteteak.com Instagram →   / hayden_teteak   LinkedIn →   / hayden-teteak   📩 BUSINESS INQUIRIES Hayden@HaydenTeteak.com ABOUT ME I’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible. The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.