How much do Delta pilots earn?

Average Delta Air Lines Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $192,602, which is 187% above the national average. Salary information comes from 107 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.



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The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Traditionally a pilot at a regional airline might start out earning less than $50,000 per year, but get hired on by a major airline and that goes up quickly into the six figures, and well over $300,000 for senior captains flying widebody aircraft overseas. Some earn over $400,000.

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In order to become an Delta pilot, you must earn a Commercial Pilot License, build the required amount of flight experience, and then earn an Airline Transport Pilot License. Delta requires a total documented flight time of 1,500, though they frequently hire pilots with significantly more experience.

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Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include several days of work followed by some days off.

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Daily. An airline transport pilot can fly up to 8 hours per 24 hour period and up to 10 hours if a second pilot is aboard. Pilots are required to rest a minimum of 16 hours postflight. Some variances to these regulations exist depending on the company's operations specifications.

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If you already meet the minimum requirements to become a Delta pilot, you can apply through Airline Apps, opens in a new window. Do I have to have a degree to be eligible for the Propel Flight Academy? No, a four-year degree is preferred, but not mandatory.

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A House panel voted Wednesday to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 67 from 65 as the industry faces a persistent shortage of aviators.

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For instance, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Unlimited free flights on Delta aircraft (not code share, which you must pay a small fee) based on the available seats for yourself, spouse or domestic partner, and children and parents of the employee, but you have to pay any international airport fee.

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Total Pay Estimate & Range The estimated total pay for a Retired at Delta Air Lines is $205,462 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $139,214 per year.

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Delta offers pilots lifestyle flexibility with domicile locations across the U.S. We are proud to offer Delta pilots an industry-leading a total compensation, and benefits package including high base pay rates and the industry's best profit sharing program and 401(k) contributions.

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In terms of actual days, some publications say most short-haul pilots will either travel home every day if possible or work for five days and then spend three or four days at home. Long-haul pilots are said to spend more time away from home, although they do get 10 to 15 days off per month to see their families.

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The average cost for the program is approximately $84,000 training cost and an estimated $7,000 housing cost (if needed). You will obtain all certificates and ratings necessary to earn a flight instructor job and ultimately become a Delta pilot.

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The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the most advanced pilot certificate one can obtain, and it's necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living. All commercial airlines now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Pilot? It takes two months to become a pilot and earn your private pilot license. To become an airline pilot, it takes two years to gain the required 1,500 hours flight time.

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What if an airline does not have enough flying for a pilot? Fortunately, most pilot employment contracts and CBAs include a monthly hour minimum. This minimum requires the company to pay its pilots for a minimum number of flight hours, regardless of whether those hours are flown.

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How much does an Entry Level Pilot make? As of Sep 27, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Pilot in the United States is $99,206 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $47.70 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,907/week or $8,267/month.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median U.S. pilot salary at $211,790 in 2022. This means 50% of pilots earn more than this, and 50% earn less. However, there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.

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