Israeli Pilots Earn Up To 80,000 Shekels Monthly, With Higher US Salaries at Top

Pilots in Israeli airlines can expect to earn between 20,000 to 40,000 shekels gross per month as co-pilots, with captains earning between 40,000 to 80,000 shekels, and potentially more on wide-body aircraft or during busy periods. These salaries are significantly higher than the average Israeli salary, which hovers around 14,000 to 15,000 shekels monthly. The initial phase of a pilot's career involves substantial personal investment, with trainees paying hundreds of thousands of shekels for flight school. They then often work as instructors or light aircraft pilots for 8,000 to 14,000 shekels per month for several years before securing a position with an airline.

Graduates from the Israeli Air Force often enter the profession with more flight hours, allowing them to start at higher salary levels, similar to how rank and experience impact salaries in the military. The reported average salary of around 24,000 shekels is considered misleading as it often combines earnings from instructors and light aircraft pilots with those of jet pilots. Experienced airline pilots' salaries are further boosted by per diems, accommodation allowances, and overtime pay.

Becoming a pilot requires a progression of licenses, starting with a private pilot license, followed by commercial, instrument, multi-engine, and finally an airline transport pilot license. The civilian training path typically takes two to four years and costs hundreds of thousands of shekels. While a university degree is beneficial, it's not mandatory, and regular medical check-ups are a career-long requirement. The military route significantly shortens the path to airline employment, making former Air Force personnel the majority of captains at major Israeli airlines.

Globally, the median annual salary for airline pilots in the United States was approximately $232,140 (around 71,000 shekels monthly) as of May 2025, with the top 10% earning over $463,830 annually (about 142,000 shekels monthly). This top tier significantly surpasses what even senior pilots in Israel typically achieve. The training process is nearly identical in both countries, involving the same licenses and flight hour requirements.

The global pilot shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has driven up salaries in both markets, with low-cost carriers in Israel particularly affected. The significant financial investment required upfront, contrasted with the high earning potential later in the career, makes piloting a long-term financial gamble.