How much does a Delta captain pilot make a year?

Average Delta Air Lines Captain yearly pay in the United States is approximately $335,956, which is 373% above the national average.



In 2026, a Delta Air Lines Captain earns a substantial annual salary, typically ranging from $300,000 to over $465,000, depending on their seniority and the type of aircraft they fly. Following several historic union contracts, Delta has positioned itself as one of the highest-paying carriers in the world. A junior Captain (Year 1) can expect to earn around $313,000, while a senior Captain (Year 12+) on widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 767 can see their base pay exceed $400,000. When you factor in additional compensation such as "per diem" allowances, overtime premiums, and Delta's industry-leading 401(k) matching and profit-sharing programs, total annual compensation for top-tier senior pilots can approach $500,000. These high salaries reflect the immense responsibility of the role, the high level of technical skill required, and the intense demand for experienced aviators in the current global aviation market.

People Also Ask

How Much Is An Airline Pilot's Salary?
  • The bottom 25% earn up to $121,000 a year.
  • The middle 50% earn between $121,000 and $298,000 annually.
  • The top 25% earn between $298,000 and $768,000 annually.


MORE DETAILS

As of Sep 22, 2023, the average annual pay for the Boeing 747 Pilot jobs category in Staten Island is $100,515 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $48.32 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,932/week or $8,376/month.

MORE DETAILS

The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000. American Airlines pilots earn an average salary of $118,000, with some pilots earning in excess of $700,000.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Delta Plans In addition to your DPSP, some pilots have qualified pension plan benefits being paid by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) or through the Pre-Merger Northwest (PMNW) frozen pension, both with several payment options.

MORE DETAILS

Upon promotion to Captain, though, Delta pilots earn a starting pay of $189,000. 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.

MORE DETAILS

Commercial pilots will be allowed tattoos in some airlines as long as they are covered. This means if a pilot has a sleeve-type tattoo on their arm, they must wear a long sleeve shirt to cover it. Most major airlines do not allow tattoos that cannot be covered.

MORE DETAILS

Some first officers have waited decades to become a captain while others can upgrade in just a few years, but we'll set an average range of 5-12 years from first officer to captain at a major airline. That means from 0 experience all the way to major airline captain, one can expect a timeline of 15+ years.

MORE DETAILS

The Before Takeoff checklist is divided into two parts: Down to the line (or Above the line) means before ATC Takeoff Clearance. Below the line means after T.O. clearance (when lined up) but before starting the roll.

MORE DETAILS

Captain or pilot-in-command is the highest rank a pilot can earn. A captain has over 3,000 flight hours and is responsible for the entire aircraft and all occupants aboard. What is the difference between a pilot and a captain?

MORE DETAILS

Pilots don't earn a flat annual salary like some professions. Instead, they're paid an hourly wage for each flight hour flown, along with per diem. Most airlines guarantee a minimum number of hours per month, so that pilots can count on at least a minimum amount of monthly income.

MORE DETAILS