The top pay for a Delta Airlines Captain is approximately $205,000, but those flying a Boeing 777 can potentially earn $298,500 per year plus bonuses, or as much as $350,000 in one year.
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Total Pay Estimate & RangeThe estimated total pay for a 777 Captain at United Airlines is $119,370 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 $91,881 per year.
Boeing 777 pilots are some of the highest-paid pilots in the aviation industry. On average, their salaries range from $120,000 to $250,000 annually, depending on the amount of experience and number of hours flown.
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.
Total Pay Estimate & RangeThe estimated total pay for a Retired at Delta Air Lines is $117,379 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 $107,444 per year.
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.
As noted by One Mile At A Time, to become captain of a widebody at Delta would usually require around 20 years of seniority, involving several years as a First Officer (FO) and then captain of a smaller aircraft. Larger planes, like the 757 or 767, warrant a higher rate of pay, as will the captaincy role.
Pilots' pay is reaching astronomical levels, with some of the most experienced aviators earning up to $700,000. The industry's pilot shortage is likely to continue for a few years and airlines are negotiating bumper new contracts, which means pay is expected to keep rising.
According to figures from The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for airline pilots is $114,200, but starting pay for a regional airline First Officer could be as little as $28,000, while ending pay for a major airline Captain could be several hundred thousand per year.
Established airline pilots are paid very well, with the annual earnings of senior captains around $400,000, some pilots can expect a ten million dollar career in total earnings, illustrated below according to the typical career progression.
If you wish to become a commercial pilot and fly aircraft such as the Airbus A380s, Boeing 747s and 777s, you will need to complete 1,500 hours of flight time after you complete your Bachelor of Aviation. It's a standard set by the airlines to ensure the safety of their millions of customers.