The higher salaries are presently in China, mainly driven by the expansion of the Chinese domestic carriers and have risen in the last two years from about USD 200,000 to nearly USD 280,000 for the best paid airlines amongst them.
The Chinese carriers have not really started to expand internationally yet. Remember, that China currently has four out of ten of the world's largest airlines. When they do start to expand, the pay will continue upwards, certainly the next 5yrs to 7yrs.
When the Chinese market puts upward pressure on pilot salaries the rest of the expat market will follow.
Perhaps the "upward pressure" has already begun. As mentioned, the Chinese salaries are going up, the max salary amounts may even be higher than most people realize:
VOR Holdings Captains with over five years of service at Sichuan Airlines earn up to $352,800 per year plus overtime. With built-in pay increases, Captains with over ten years of service will earn up to $403,800 USD per year plus overtime. Sichuan Airlines is the highest paying airline in China and one of the highest in the world!
Compensation per month (net received by pilot after airline has paid taxes in China):
Option A (45 days annual leave)
$25,150 USD per month ($301,800 USD per year in year one) plus $250 USD per block hour over 85 hours per month plus longevity bonus which increases by $10 USD per hour X 85 hours per month after each 12 months
Option B (103 days of leave per year)
$20,700 USD per month ($248,400 USD per year in year one) plus $215 USD per block hour over 80 hours per month plus longevity bonus which increases by $10 USD per hour X 80 hours per month after each 12 months
Option C (161 days of leave per year)
$16,600 USD per month ($199,200 USD per year in year one) plus $180 USD per block hour over 75 hours per month plus longevity bonus which increases by $10 USD per hour X 80 hours per month after each 12 months
Option D (1 month ON, 1 month OFF)
$15,100 USD per month ($181,200 USD per year in year one) plus $160 USD per block hour over 75 hours per month plus longevity bonus which increases by $10 USD per hour X 75 hours per month after each 12 months
If you have at least 500 PIC hours in the A319/320/321 aircraft, 3,000 hours Total Time, current within 12 months and are under the age of 56, please send us the following information to schedule your interview: