More than $200,000 possible
This is how high salaries are on US aircraft carriers
June 10, 2026 – 10:54 amReading time: 2 minutes
Salaries on US aircraft carriers can exceed $200,000. However, they are small compared to other areas.
Only a few countries in the world operated an aircraft carrier. Of the 16 nations that operate such a ship, the United States has by far the most, with eleven aircraft carriers in operation.
The voluminous ships have a particular military significance. This is also reflected in the pay of the military officers responsible on the ships. This is shown by research by the US portal “Simple Flying”.
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Depending on the level of experience, a Carrier Wing Commander (CAG) earns between 151,660 and 171,388 US dollars (between 130,000 and 148,000 euros) per year. He has the third highest rank on board and has generally been in service for more than 20 years. Specifically, he leads the entire air group of an aircraft carrier and coordinates several squadrons of fighter jets, helicopters and early warning and support aircraft. 2,400 people report to him.
However, carrier wing commanders usually receive various subsidies, so that the final annual salary can rise to 200,000 to 225,000 dollars (173,000 to 195,000 euros). This includes, for example, housing subsidies, flat-rate meal allowances and hazard pay for war zones.
There are significantly more in civil aviation
Above the carrier wing commander on an aircraft carrier are only the GSG commander, as head of the aircraft carrier and escort group network, and the carrier captain, who is responsible for the aircraft carrier. According to the “Military Ranks” website, these usually earn a base salary of 221,000 or 171,000 dollars (191,000 or 148,000 euros) without the allowances.
The first officer can earn up to $170,000 (147,000 euros), the deputy wing commander and reactor officer can earn up to $150,000 (130,000 euros) and the flight deck officer can earn $140,000 (121,000 euros).
However, salaries are well behind civil aviation, where salaries could be up to $550,000 (476,000 euros) in 2026, according to “Simple Flying”.
