For aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts, working for one of the “Big Three” U.S. airlines — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines — represents the pinnacle of commercial aviation careers. These legacy carriers offer global networks, career stability, top-tier benefits, and, most importantly, some of the highest pilot salaries in the industry. But how much do pilots at these airlines actually earn?
Let’s dive into the numbers and factors that influence pilot pay at these three major U.S. airlines.
Understanding Airline Pilot Pay Structure
Before breaking it down by airline, it’s important to understand how airline pilots are paid.
Pilot salaries are typically based on:
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Seniority: Pay increases with years of service.
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Aircraft type: Flying larger, long-haul aircraft pays more than smaller, domestic ones.
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Rank: Captains earn significantly more than First Officers (co-pilots).
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Flight hours: Pilots are paid hourly, based on flight time — usually up to 75–85 hours per month.
Pilots also receive:
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Per diem payments for meals while traveling
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Bonuses and profit sharing
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Overtime pay for flying beyond scheduled hours
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Pension or 401(k) contributions
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Travel benefits for themselves and family
1. Delta Air Lines
Delta consistently ranks as one of the top-paying airlines for pilots in the U.S. After a major contract agreement in 2023, pilot compensation significantly increased.
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First Officer (Starting): Around $100,000–$120,000 per year
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First Officer (Experienced): $180,000–$220,000
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Captain (Narrow-body): $250,000–$300,000
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Captain (Wide-body): Up to $350,000–$400,000+ annually
Delta pilots also benefit from profit-sharing bonuses, which have reached thousands of dollars in strong financial years. With longevity and a wide-body captain position, total annual compensation can exceed $500,000.
2. American Airlines
American Airlines, the world’s largest airline by fleet size, offers a very competitive pay structure, especially after their latest union agreements in 2023–2024.
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First Officer (Entry-level): Around $90,000–$110,000
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First Officer (Mid-career): $170,000–$210,000
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Captain (Domestic routes): $240,000–$290,000
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Captain (International/wide-body): Can exceed $350,000–$400,000
American also offers bonuses, stock options, and profit-sharing opportunities. Pilots can earn more by flying overtime or accepting additional trips during peak travel periods.
3. United Airlines
United has aggressively expanded its network and improved pilot pay and work conditions in recent years. With hubs in major cities like Chicago, Houston, and Newark, United pilots have access to both domestic and international opportunities.
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First Officer (Starting): Typically $100,000–$120,000
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First Officer (Experienced): Up to $220,000
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Captain (Narrow-body): $250,000–$310,000
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Captain (Wide-body): $360,000–$420,000+
United pilots also enjoy significant profit-sharing, excellent retirement plans, and some of the best travel perks in the industry. Senior captains on international routes can take home over $450,000 per year, depending on their flight hours and schedule.
Key Factors That Influence Pilot Pay
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Seniority System: All three airlines use a strict seniority system — the longer you’ve been at the company, the better your schedule, aircraft, and pay.
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Aircraft Assignment: Pilots flying larger aircraft like the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 typically earn more than those flying narrow-bodies like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.
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Base Location: Pilots based in high-demand hubs or international gateways may have more opportunities to fly high-paying routes.
Final Thoughts
Working for American, Delta, or United offers pilots not only high salaries but also career growth, job security, and excellent benefits. While starting pay for junior First Officers might seem modest, the long-term earning potential is substantial — especially for those who climb the ranks to wide-body Captain.
With the pilot shortage still a factor and travel demand surging, it’s an exciting and rewarding time to join the cockpit at one of the Big Three.
