Qatar Airways Pilot Salary in 2025
DOHA- Middle East-based airline, Qatar Airways (QR) is one of the world’s best and most popular airlines. Having been consistently ranked in the global ratings for its fantastic service and on-time performance, the Oneworld member is the pinnacle of flying.
Qatari flag carrier currently serves 198 destinations across over 90 countries in six continents. With over 4,000 pilots employed, they are also the world’s best-paying airline alongside Saudia (SV). That said, how much exactly do Qatar Airways pilots earn, and what other benefits are they entitled to?
Qatar Airways Pilot Salary
Flying for Qatar Airways is a pinnacle for pilots around the world, thanks to their global network and attractive, tax-free salaries which can go up to US$300,000 annually for senior captains on long-haul routes.
The pilots at QR are also guaranteed a minimum of 75 flying hours per month.
Salary of First Officers
First officers at Qatar Airways are paid a base salary of approximately US$100,000 per year to start with, whereas those with more experience and flying on longer routes tend to earn higher. The minimum salary breakdown for FOs is:
- Basic salary – $6,500 per month
- Flight pay – $24.70 per hour
- Approximate monthly salary for 75 hours of flying – $8,350
- The approximate annual salary of first officers – $100,300.
Salary of Captains
The captains at Qatar Airways are paid almost 40% higher but those with greater experience can earn up to three times as much as first officers. QR’s Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s are considered the flagship aircraft and fly to more long haul and ultra long haul destinations than any other airplane, so aviators on those usually breach the $200,000 per year mark as well.
The minimum salary breakdown for a captain is:
- Basic salary – $9,300 per month
- Flight pay – $32.95 per hour
- Approximate monthly salary for 75 hours of flying – $11,600
- Approximate annual salary of captains – $139,200
Second officers at Qatar Airways are the junior-most pilots, more often than not making their way straight out of flying school. Their estimated salary per month is $2,700, which translates to $32,400 per year. They are not paid an extra amount for flying hours.
Qatar Executive is the airline’s charter arm and operates for the members of the Qatari state too. Their pilots are paid with the same base compensation as their colleagues at Qatar Airways. Likewise, Qatar Cargo pilots too.
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Benefits Qatar Airways Pilots are Entitled to
Qatar Airways pilots are entitled to a number of other benefits apart from their monetary compensation. Some of those are as below:
- FLEXIBILITY AND ATTRACTIVE ANNUAL LEAVES – Qatar Airways pilots are entitled to 42 paid leaves per year. There is also a possibility to request for week offs on specific days, to operate to desired destinations, early or late departures, and the ability to swap shifts with fellow pilots.
- HEALTH INSURANCE – A private health insurance is provided which is valid worldwide for the pilot and their immediate family living in Doha.
- EDUCATION ALLOWANCE – The airline pays tuition fees for children up to 21 years of age.
- HOUSING – QR provides 3-bedroom houses to first officers and 4-bedroom apartments or villas to captains in different localities around the city. If pilots wish to find their own housing, they are paid a monthly allowance of $3,600 (first officers) and $4,100 (captains).
- TRANSPORT – A transport allowance of $400 is paid. There is no vehicle scheme.
- FREE TICKETS – Unlimited and free business class tickets (subjective to availability) and economy class tickets (confirmed) are available to the families of pilots and themselves. Up to 15 tickets can be availed for their extended families (parents, in-laws, siblings, etc.). Travel is also possible on other Oneworld carriers and partner airlines.
What aircraft do QR pilots Fly?
Qatar Airways operates a fleet mixed with Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Their full breakdown is as below:
- Airbus A320-200 – 30
- Airbus A330-200 – 3
- A330-300 – 7
- Airbus A350-900 – 34
- Airbus A350-1000 – 24
- A380-800 – 8
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 – 9
- Boeing 777-200LR – 7
- 777-300ER – 57
- Boeing 787-8 – 30
- Boeing 787-9 – 18
The carrier has the following aircraft on order:
- Airbus A321neo – 50
- Airbus A350-1000 – 18
- Boeing 737 MAX 10 – 25
- Boeing 777-9 – 60
- 787-9 – 12
Is Qatar Airways Currently Hiring Pilots?
Qatar Airways is currently hiring type-rated first officers as well as type-rated captains for its Airbus and Boeing fleets, in addition to their Qatar Executive fleet.
With the airline expected to add the A321neo and Boeing 777X to its fleet in a few years, there is a demand for pilots specifically qualified to fly the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 777s too.
Qatar has reportedly become an attractive destination for pilots from countries imposing high taxes like Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their jobs at QR come with visa sponsorship, tax-free salary, and at times, employment rights for spouses too.
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How to become a Qatar Airways pilot?
A direct entry pilot at Qatar Airways has to fulfill the following criteria:
- Minimum 1000 hours (FO)/6000 hours (captain) total flight time on Multi-Crew, Multi-Engine, and Commercial Airline experience on a jet with MTOW of 30,000 kg or higher
- Minimum 500 hours total flight time on a B787 / B777 / B767 / B757 / B747-400 (400F/-8/-8F) / B737NG/MAX or Airbus FBW aircraft (A380/A350/A340/A330/A320/F).
- Current ICAO ATPL or Frozen ATPL* with valid instrument rating on any of the above-specified types and Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by the same Authority (valid minimum 2 months after the start date, if successful)
- *Valid ATPL Theoretical Knowledge results/certificate
- Minimum English Language Proficiency level 4
- Last flight on any of the above-specified types within the past 12 months
Qatar Airways’ hiring process for pilots is as follows:
- ONLINE TEST – Applicants are invited to conduct an online test that ascertains their inductive reasoning, critical thinking, and personality in accordance with the role.
- ONLINE INTERVIEW – If a pilot is applying for a role from overseas, they need to undergo an online interview if the online test is successfully completed.
- INTRODUCTION TO QATAR AIRWAYS – If the interview is successfully cleared, the pilot is invited to Doha to meet with the hiring team and get acquainted with the Qatar Airways facilities in the capital of Qatar.
- ATPL QUESTIONS – 50 questions are asked that test the pilots’ knowledge about the ATPL, as well as the responsibilities, rules, and regulations that come along with it.
- SIMULATOR ASSESSMENT – Qatar Airways conducts simulator assessments in the final steps of its hiring process. The airline’s headquarters has simulators for the majority of the aircraft present in its current fleet for which pilots are being hired.
Qatar Airways Pilots Salary and Compensation FAQs
Qatar Airways pays tax-free salaries which start from $100,000 for first officers and can go up to US$300,000 annually for senior captains on long-haul routes.
Qatar Airways captains earn from $139,200 to $300,000 annually.
Yes, Qatar Airways offers one of the best salaries to its staff working as pilots, cabin crew, engineers, technicians, airport staff, ground staff, etc.
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posted by Salisu Umar Manta @ September 28, 2025
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