Regional airline pay has gotten complicated with all the signing bonuses and changing rates flying around. As someone who’s tracked pilot compensation closely, I learned everything there is to know about Republic Airways first officer pay and what the numbers actually look like in practice.
Year One
First-year FOs at Republic are making around $50-55 per hour now. That’s a significant jump from the old rates — the industry-wide pilot shortage forced every regional to raise pay substantially. Monthly guarantee runs about 75-76 hours, so do the math and you’re looking at roughly $45-50k your first year.
That’s what makes tracking regional pay endearing to us career-planning types — the numbers have moved more in the last few years than in the previous decade.
The Progression
Pay scales bump each year on anniversary. By year three you’re looking at $70+ per hour. Year five approaches $90. The trajectory is real.
Probably should have led with this section, honestly — most pilots don’t stay at Republic long enough to reach the upper pay scales. Regional is a stepping stone. The major airlines pay double or more, and that’s where everyone’s headed.
Money You Don’t See Advertised
Per diem adds up quietly. Around $2.15 per hour when you’re away from base. When you’re overnighting in random cities four times a week, this stacks into real money over a year.
Signing bonuses fluctuate with demand. I’ve seen $20-40k offered, depending on how desperately they need pilots at any given moment. Usually comes with a time commitment — read the fine print before celebrating the number.
Quality of Life (Honest Assessment)
Junior pilots get the garbage schedules. Holidays, weekends, red-eye flights, irregular overnights. Seniority eventually fixes scheduling quality, but the first year or two can be rough. Reserve life means sitting by the phone waiting for a call. Some months are brutal. Others you barely fly and wonder why you moved across the country for this job.
The Strategic Value
Republic operates for American, Delta, and United. That’s exposure to three major airline operations. Most pilots upgrade to captain in 2-3 years, build PIC turbine time, then transition to a major.
Flow-through agreements to United exist and are worth investigating if you’re specifically considering Republic. Having a defined pathway to a major airline reduces the uncertainty that makes the regional grind so psychologically taxing.
