Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers Pay Data UK — 2025

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers roles in the UK earn a median of £87,000 per year, equivalent to £48.06 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 0.7% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £72,500 in North West to £97,000 in London. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £82,746/yr (5% above our computed national average).

Labour Market

Employment figures from ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). Counts are estimates; suppressed cells (small samples) are excluded from totals.

Pay by Region

Annual pay for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers across UK regions. The bar shows the typical pay range (25th–75th percentile); the diamond marks the median.

Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).

How Pay Has Changed Over Time

Annual pay grew by +0.7% from 2024 to 2025.

National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot. Shaded band shows 25th–75th percentile range.

Year-on-Year Pay Change

Annual percentage change in median pay for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers.

Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.

About Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

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.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• studies flight plan and makes any necessary adjustments
• directs or undertakes checks on engines, instruments, control panels, cargo distribution, fuel supplies, aircraft's stability, response to controls and overall performance
• directs or undertakes the operation of controls to fly airplanes and helicopters, complying with air traffic control and aircraft operating procedures
• monitors fuel consumption, air pressure, engine performance and other indicators during flight and advises pilot of any factors that affect the navigation or performance of the aircraft
• maintains radio contact and discusses weather conditions with air traffic controllers
• directs the movement of aircraft and maintains radio and/or radar or visual contact en-route to its destination, in and out of controlled airspace or into holding areas ready for landing
• gives landing Instructions to pilot and monitors descent
• plans flight route, calculate fuel consumption and optimum flying height and obtains information on weather and other conditions, such as cargo distribution
• handles emergencies, unscheduled traffic and other unanticipated incidents
• accompanies pupil on training flights and demonstrates flying techniques

Entry Routes and Qualifications

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.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.