Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.
Are you in search of a pilot job in Texas? Do you have a pilot job and wonder if there are better pilot jobs in Texas for you? Pilots are in demand across North America and Texas is one of the largest locations for aviation in the U.S.
Read on to learn which Texas companies are the best for pilots, what Texas companies pay for pilots, and where to look for the best pilot jobs in Texas.
10 Texas Pilot Jobs
Find out which companies have the best pilot jobs in Texas, for you.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and is an aerospace company employing approximately 114,000 people worldwide and 23,000 of those in Texas, across Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Houston, Lufkin and San Antonio.
Pilots are hired to instruct and to test pilot Lockheed’s designed aircraft. The average salary for a Lockheed Martin pilot in Texas is $109,000 per year according to LinkedIn.
Established: March 1995
Location: 1 Lockheed Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76108
Contact Information:
Employees: 114,000 globally – 23,000 of which are in Texas
Types of Jobs:
- Test Pilot
- Flight Instructor
- Flight Engineer
- Aircraft Maintenance
Services Provided: Specializing in global advanced aeronautics, Lockheed Martin designs and tests aircraft and systems, while also training pilots to fly the most state-of-the-art aircrafts in the world. They offer technological services such as design, testing, implementation, etc., and they serve many government agencies as clients throughout the world.
Revenue: $66,814,000
Google Rating: 4.2/5 stars on 9,301 reviews
United Airlines
United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, IL with its next largest pilot hub operating in Houston, TX. As the third largest airline in the world, compensation is some of the best in the industry.
United first officer pilot salaries can range between $91,000 and $240,000. Captain salaries range between $323,000 and $352,000 depending on years of experience.
Established: April 6, 1926
Location: 1600 Smith St. Houston, TX 77002
Contact Information:
Employees: 67,000, of which 14,000 work in the Houston, Texas location.
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
United Airlines flies to over 210 destinations in the United States and over 120 destinations around the globe. Daily operation of over 4,500 flights to five continents with a fleet of 848 aircraft. Direct or connecting flights can be scheduled to and from airports internationally, utilizing an extensive carrier network.. Primary domestic hubs are located in Chicago, Denver, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. , and San Francisco.
Revenue: $14,593,000
Google Rating: 3/5 stars on 51,383 reviews
American Airlines
American Airlines is the world’s largest airline, in terms of fleet size and services. They are headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and have flights to 17 additional cities in the Lone Star state. AA pilots are some of the highest paid in the industry. First officer salaries begin around $90,000 and can reach $245,000. Captain salaries average between $314,000 and $342,000 per year.
Established: April 15, 1926
Location: 4333 Amon Carter Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76155
Contact Information:
Employees: 102,700
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
American Airlines partners with American Eagle to operate approximately 6,800 flights per day across 350 destinations in 50+ countries. As a founder of the oneworld alliance, a collective offering of close to 14,250 flights per day to over 1,000 destinations in nearly 150 countries worldwide is possible from anywhere in the civilized world.
Revenue: $18,686,000
Google Rating: 3/5 stars on 73,072 reviews
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is the world’s largest, low rate, airline. They are headquartered in Dallas, TX with operations to El Paso, Houston, and South Padre.
Southwest pilot salaries are 6th in the industry with first-time officers starting at an annual salary of around $84,000 and earning up to $191,000 annually with experience. Captains’ annual salaries range between $241,000 and $274,000 per year.
Established: March 15, 1967
Location: 2702 Love Field Dr., Dallas, TX, 75235
Contact Information:
Employees: 54,448
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
Southwest Airlines has a fleet of 747 Boeing 737 aircrafts offering service to 103 destinations throughout the United States and to 10 countries outside the U.S.
Revenue: $9,866,000
Google Rating: 4.5/5 stars on 44,015 reviews
SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional airline in North America, is headquartered in St. George, Utah and operates a large hub in Houston, Texas. Glassdoor voted SkyWest a top 50 “Best Place To Work”.
Known for an industry-leading workforce, outstanding leadership team, and strong economic performances, SkyWest Airlines serviced over 43 million passengers in 2019 through partnerships with United, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.
Employees are offered no cost life insurance, matching 401K, performance bonuses, employee assistance programs, stock purchase plans, and health insurance options.
Established: April 26, 1972 (Dixie Airlines)
Location: 3100 N Terminal Rd., Houston, TX 77032
Contact Information:
Employees: 14,196
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
SkyWest Airlines operates a fleet of more than 450 aircraft to service 236 destinations in North America. Utilizing partnerships with United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines — SkyWest serviced more than 43 million passengers in 2019.
Revenue: $2,238,676
Google Rating: 4/5 stars on 1128 reviews
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is a low cost passenger carrier headquartered in Miramar, Florida with destinations to Dallas, Austin, and Houston.
They are ranked 7th in pilot pay with First Officers earning an annual salary of $59,000 in the first year and can increase up to $167,000 with experience. Captains earn an annual salary between $189,000 and $252,000.
Established: 1983
Location: 2800 Executive Way Miramar, FL 33025 USA
Contact Information:
Employees: 8,756
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
Spirit Airlines has a fleet of 168 Airbus aircraft which is the youngest and most fuel efficient fleet in the industry. They offer over 500 daily flights, servicing over 60 destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Revenue: $2,221,000
Google Rating: 3/5 stars on 23,094 reviews
Gulfstream Aerospace
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is owned by General Dynamics and is headquartered in Savannah, GA with operations in Dallas, TX. Gulfstream Aero designs, manufactures, and services business jet aircraft…producing over 2,000 aircraft since it began.
Established: 1958
Location: 7440 Aviation Pl, Dallas, TX 75235
Contact Information:
Employees: 13,313
Types of Jobs:
- Engineers
- Maintenance Technicians
- Management
- Flight Crews
- Ground Crews
- Test Pilots
Services Provided:
Gulfstream Aero offers the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and servicing of business jet aircraft for domestic and foriegn commercial companies.
Revenue: $9.8 billion (Privately Held)
Google Rating: 3.5/5 stars on 1,101 reviews
Ameriflight
Ameriflight is the largest Cargo Part 135 airline in the nation and is a critical part of the logistics supply chains of major cargo airlines such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. Ameriflight pilots are right around the national salary average for commercial pilots at $52,785.
Established: 1968
Location: 1515 W. 20th St. DFW Airport, TX 75261
Contact Information:
Employees: 669
Types of Jobs:
- Cargo Freight Pilots
- First Officers
- Captains
- Airline Mechanics
- Ground Crew
- Dispatch
- Handlers
Services Provided:
Ameriflight provides logistical transportation for major financial institutions, freight forwarders, medical/scientific laboratories and overnight couriers in the United States. They also provide feeder services for 24-hour express carriers, both domestically and internationally.
Revenue: $98 million
Google Rating: 3.1/5 stars on 66 reviews
Envoy Air
Envoy Air is headquartered in Irving, Texas and is owned by American Airlines. Envoy’s compensation is unmatched in the industry. First year First Officers enjoy the industry’ top rate and a competitive sign-on bonus.
Established: 1998
Location: 4301 Regent Blvd. Irving, TX 75063
Contact Information:
Employees: 18,000
Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
Envoy Air has a fleet size of 185 aircraft ,operates in over 150 destinations, and utilizes American Airlines’ largest hubs to complete over 1000 flights per day.
Revenue: $987.3 million
Google Rating: 3.2/5 stars on 1,216 reviews
Mesa Airlines
Mesa Airlines is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and has it’s two largest operating hubs at Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. and George Bush International Airport in Houston, TX.
Mesa Airlines is a major airline marketing sub-brand, operating as American Eagle and United Express. First officers at Mesa Airlines start at an annual salary around $17,929 and can reach an annual salary of $95,760 for an experienced captain.
Established: 1982
Location: 16951 John F Kennedy Blvd., Houston, TX 77032
Contact Information:
Employees: 3,500
- Types of Jobs:
- First Officer Pilots
- Captain Pilots
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Attendants
- Baggage Handlers
- Customer Service Associates
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Ticket/Gate Agents
- Avionics
- Crew Support
- Dispatch
Services Provided:
Mesa Airlines has a fleet of 160 aircraft and operates approximately 393 flights per day as American Eagle and United Express carriers for American and United destinations in the southwestern U.S.
Revenue: $480,848
Google Rating: 3/5 stars on 377 reviews
Everything is bigger in Texas – Why shouldn’t your pilot job be?
The best pilot jobs in Texas are waiting for qualified applicants like you to help fill the ever growing pilot shortage in North America! You now have a much clearer idea of which airlines pay the most, which have the best services to offer, and where their hubs and flight destinations are located.
What are you waiting for? Apply for the best pilot jobs in Texas now! As jobs open or close, and information in the aviation industry changes…keep yourself abreast of the most pertinent and recent information across the American aviation industry with a subscription to FLYING Magazine today!
FAQ
It costs as little as $10,000 to get a private pilot’s license in Texas, however, the type of aircraft you choose to train in, the number of flight hours you take, and the flight school you choose, will all be factors that can easily increase the cost to the range of $15,000 to $18,000 (Texas State Aviation).
There are currently 3,000+ pilot jobs in Texas, according to LinkedIn.
The range of airline pilot salaries in Texas is between $119,801 and $156,101 with the average salary being $138,301 according to Salary.com.
