Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers roles in the UK earn a median of £83,000 per year, equivalent to £46.58 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 0.5% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £72,500 in North East to £97,000 in London. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £82,746/yr (0% above our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£83,000
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£46.58
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+0.5%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£61,500 – £
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| London | £97,000 |
| South East | £87,000 |
| East | £84,500 |
| Scotland | £83,500 |
| South West | £79,500 |
| North West | £79,000 |
| East Midlands | £79,000 |
| West Midlands | £79,000 |
| Wales | £78,500 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £77,500 |
| North East | £72,500 |
| UK | £83,000 |
Annual pay grew by +0.5% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers in the UK is £83,000 per year (about £46.58 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers earn between £61,500 and £ a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers pay rose by 0.5% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers is in London, at £97,000 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers navigate and pilot aircraft, prepare flight plans, authorise flight departures and arrivals, maintain radio, radar and/or visual contact with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of air traffic, check, regulate, adjust and test engines and other equipment prior to take-off and give flying lessons.
Entrants with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, a BTEC/ SQA award or equivalent qualification can apply for an airline sponsorship. Private residential training as a pilot is available to candidates with GCSEs/S grades or appropriate BTEC/SQA or other certificates/diplomas or to holders of Private Pilots Licences who have 700 hours flying experience. Training lasts up to 15 months and consists of courses of study and flying instruction. Airlines may have additional age and height requirements. Air traffic controllers training lasts 74 weeks including study and practical experience. Entrants must be 18 to hold a Student Licence and 21 for a full air traffic controller licence awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority. Normal colour vision is required for pilots and air traffic controllers and candidates also undergo a medical examination.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.