How Much Does Delta Pilot Make? 2025 Salary Breakdown Revealed

How much does a Delta pilot make? In 2025, First Officers earn between $109,209 and $226,598 per year, while Captains can make from $300,000 to $400,000.

Read on to see how much does Delta pilot make based on experience, aircraft type, and other factors that affect these numbers.

Delta Air Lines Pilot Salary Overview

Delta Air Lines is known for paying its pilots according to their experience and type of aircraft flown. By 2025 a captain who has been flying an A320 for 6 years will be making around $321,594 a year, that’s Delta’s commitment to fair pay for its pilots.

Delta’s pilot compensation packages progress with experience and aircraft complexity. From First Officer to Captain Delta guarantees compensation that meets industry standards and is competitive in the aviation world.

First Officer Pay Scale

At Delta Air Lines First Officers are paid competitive rates that increase with experience. A First Officer’s annual pay is around $165,250. This can vary with years of service and type of aircraft flown.

New hire officer’s initial yearly pay is around $109,209 but can go up to an estimated $226,598 after 10 years of flying. Based on flight hours and type of aircraft a first officer flies at Delta Air Lines a first officer can make around $93,650 a year.

Delta ensures its First Officers get fair pay for their growing expertise and increasing complexity of their flying duties.

Captain Pay Scale

Delta pays its Captains one of the highest total compensation packages in the industry. For 2025, we estimate a Delta Captain will make between $300,000 and $400,000. This includes their base pay plus additional monies that recognize their critical role in safety and operational efficiency.

Looking at the 2024 numbers where Captains made between $290,763 and $367,373 shows Delta’s commitment to paying salaries commensurate with experience. Delta’s pay structure includes base pay plus bonuses and other forms of recognition of each Captain’s experience and leadership within the company.

Factors Influencing Delta Pilot Salaries

Delta pilot pay is based on seniority, with new hires starting lower and increasing over time as they gain experience. Since pilots are hourly, more flight hours mean more pay.

Flying bigger and more complex aircraft also increases pay at Delta. Pilots flying those types of planes get paid more. Pilots flying international routes get paid more because of the complexity of those flights.

The United Airlines pilot pay scale is similarly influenced by experience and aircraft type, highlighting the competitive nature of pilot salaries across major airlines. Shared Rewards is another way pilots can earn more when goals are met.

Delta Pilot Benefits Package

Delta Airlines offers its pilots a package of benefits that goes far beyond just pay. This package is designed to support pilots and their families, covering finance, health and lifestyle.

At Delta, there’s a 401(k) that credits a company contribution of 3% and matches employee contributions dollar for dollar up to 6%. This helps Delta pilots save a lot for the future.

As part of their overall compensation which boosts employee satisfaction, Delta offers wellness programs and various medical insurance options.

Pilots get travel perks like unlimited standby travel and discounts on Delta flights, vacation packages they offer and even cargo shipping. For international flights on Delta Air Lines, the airline gives per diem allowances to cover daily expenses during layovers.

Delta Airlines Fleet and Impact on Salaries

Delta Airlines operates a diverse fleet, including Airbus A321, Boeing 737, and Boeing 757 models. The type of aircraft flown significantly impacts compensation, with larger and more advanced aircraft offering higher salaries.

Delta pilots are guaranteed a minimum of 74 flight hours per month, and delta flights can affect overall earnings. Guaranteed flight time ensures a stable income, and fleet diversity offers opportunities to advance and increase earnings by transitioning to more complex aircraft.

Delta Pilot Hiring Requirements

To qualify for a pilot position with Delta Air Lines, applicants must satisfy various hiring criteria. They need to be at least 23 years of age and in possession of an up-to-date FAA First Class Medical Certificate. They should have logged at least 1,500 flight hours.

Applicants are also required to hold a valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate that includes an Instrument rating. Candidates should have accrued no less than 1,000 hours flying fixed-wing turboprop or turbofan aircraft.

While having earned a four-year degree from an accredited institution is advantageous, it’s not compulsory if all minimum requirements are fulfilled.

For the interview phase, applicants will be expected to provide thorough documentation of their accumulated flight hours as well as copies of their FAA certificates and academic transcripts if applicable.

How to Apply for a Delta Pilot Position

Aspiring pilots and student pilots can join Delta Air Lines through the Delta Propel Pilot Career Path Program, designed to accelerate their journey to the cockpit as an airline pilot.

Job postings are available on the Delta Air Lines website, and frequent checks for updates are advisable.

Delta Propel college path applications are open annually from May 1 to September 8. Training for Delta pilots occurs at the Delta Air Lines Aircrew Training Center in Georgia and nine other facilities, ensuring comprehensive flight training preparation.

Delta Air Lines Pilot Career Path

Delta Air Lines pilots follow a well-structured career path, allowing significant growth in responsibilities and earnings. Pilots typically start as First Officers, earning around $208,800 by their sixth year.

With experience and performance, they can progress to Captain positions, where salaries can reach $418,500 by the twelfth year when flying wide-body aircraft.

This structured progression ensures Delta pilots enjoy competitive earnings that grow with their careers. The path from First Officer to Captain offers opportunities for professional development and increased compensation.

International Flying and Additional Compensation

Pilots get paid a lot more when they fly internationally. The complexities of international travel, especially on routes to Incheon (ICN), Mexico City (MEX) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) typically means more pay.

Pilots get per diem allowances to cover living expenses when they are away from home base. Flying ICN-MEX or MEX-Tokyo could get you extra bonuses as a crew member. Flying internationally is a great option for pilots looking for more pay for their work.

Delta Pilot Wellbeing Programs

Delta Airlines cares about its aviator's wellbeing, and this is evident in their parental leave policy. They offer 10 weeks of paid maternity leave for birthing parents based in the US and 2 additional weeks of paid leave for all new parents.

They also help those growing their family through adoption with up to $30,000 in reimbursements.

They put a big emphasis on mental wellbeing as part of their Employee Assistance Program with 12 free counseling sessions focused on mental health and 6 free personal coaching sessions.

They partner with companies like Spring Health to provide pilots with access to top-notch mental healthcare. This is just a glimpse into how much Delta invests in their overall pilot wellbeing program.

Calculate Your Potential Earnings

Delta pilots can estimate their future pay using a pay projection tool that uses the 2024 pay scale from the Air Line Pilots Association. This tool calculates projected income based on hours flown, type of aircraft and international route bonus.

With a base 74 hours per month and extra pay for specific international trips, pilots can see a nice bump in their total compensation. The calculator gives a rough estimate of pay to help Delta pilots plan their finances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airline pays pilots the most?

American Airlines pilots have the potential to earn the most, with top earners exceeding $700,000. Meanwhile, Southwest and Delta pilots also have high earnings, with top figures around $549,000 and $526,000 respectively.

FedEx pilots salary is also competitive, with top earners in the cargo industry often reaching impressive figures, making it one of the highest-paying options for pilots.

Is it hard to become a Delta pilot?

Yes, becoming a Delta pilot can be quite challenging because you need to earn a Commercial Pilot License and accumulate a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight experience, often requiring more.

It’s a demanding but rewarding journey for those passionate about flying.

What is the average salary for a Delta Air Lines First Officer?

The average annual salary for a Delta Air Lines First Officer is around $165,250.

That’s a solid earning potential for those in that role!

How much can a Delta Captain earn annually in 2025?

A Delta Captain is expected to earn between $300,000 and $400,000 annually in 2025.

That’s a pretty impressive salary!