SOC 3511 Business and public service associate professionals

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers Salary

Median salary £107,712 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £108,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers, £82,746 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +112% versus the national average.

About this role

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers operate aircraft or manage air traffic to ensure safe and efficient aviation operations. Pilots fly commercial, cargo, military and private aircraft. Air traffic controllers direct aircraft movements in controlled airspace and at airports.

Key responsibilities

Flying aircraft safely and in compliance with aviation regulations
Managing air traffic movements and maintaining separation standards
Conducting pre-flight checks and flight planning
Communicating with ATC, crew and ground operations
Responding to emergency situations and adverse conditions

Qualifications and entry routes

Pilots require a CAA-issued ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence), obtained through integrated or modular training routes. Air traffic controllers complete NATS or approved training and CAA licensing. Both require medical fitness certificates.

Career outlook

Pilot demand is recovering post-pandemic. Air traffic controller recruitment is ongoing due to retirement profiles. Both careers require significant upfront training investment.

Key skills

Aviation knowledge Situational awareness Decision-making under pressure Communication Technical proficiency

Common industries

Commercial airlines
Cargo airlines
NATS (air traffic)
Military aviation
Business aviation

Data coverage

SOC code 3511

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 20,000

Median Salary

£107,712

Mean Salary

£130,560

Jobs (000s)

20k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £79,074Median: £107,712

P10: £55kP25: £79kMedian: £108kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£55,377

0-2 years

Mid Level

£79,074

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +73.6%Real growth: +40.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£107,712

Full-time Only

£82,746

Full-time premium: +£-24,966

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers salary: common questions

How much do aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers earn in the UK?

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers earn a median of £82,746 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £82,746 a good salary in the UK?

For aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers, £82,746 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +112% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers?

Entry-level aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £79,074, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £55,377.

Have aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers pay has risen from £62,314 to £82,746 — +33% in cash terms, or +7.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).