Delta Pilots Make up to $447K: How That Compares to Salaries at Other US Airlines

Delta Air Lines recently gave its pilots a big pay bump. When its union finalized a new contract in 2023, pilots received an immediate 18% pay increase followed by a 5% raise in 2024, and the promise of a 4% increase in 2025 and another 4% boost in 2026 — a total of 34% in pay upgrades, The Street reported.

The highest-paid Delta pilots now earn $447,240 a year — tied with one other U.S. airline for the second-highest pilot salary. Here’s a look at how much Delta pilots with different levels of experience make, plus how that compares to other airlines’ pilot salaries.

• Top captain salary (year 1): $340,360
• Top captain salary (year 6): $354,550
• Top captain salary (year 12): $447,240

• Top captain salary (year 1): $311,870
• Top captain salary (year 6): $324,770
• Top captain salary (year 12): $340,250

• Top captain salary (year 1): $331,010
• Top captain salary (year 6): $354,550
• Top captain salary (year 12): $469,550

• Top captain salary (year 1): $374,000
• Top captain salary (year 6): $389,000
• Top captain salary (year 12): $407,000

• Top captain salary (year 1): $317,600
• Top captain salary (year 6): $341,710
• Top captain salary (year 12): $447,240

• Top captain salary (year 1): $334,000
• Top captain salary (year 6): $347,000
• Top captain salary (year 12): $364,000

• Top captain salary (year 1): $275,000
• Top captain salary (year 6): $294,000
• Top captain salary (year 12): $318,000

• Top captain salary (year 1): $323,000
• Top captain salary (year 6): $336,000
• Top captain salary (year 12): $352,000

Salary data is sourced from Epic Flight Academy and is accurate as of June 2024.