What does a Delta pilot make?

Total Pay Estimate & Range
The estimated total pay for a Pilot at Delta Air Lines is $184,475 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 $134,598 per year.



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

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The average hourly rate for Airline Pilot in companies like DELTA AIR LINES INC range from $89 to $110 with the average hourly pay of $99. The total hourly cash compensation, which includes base and short-term incentives, can vary anywhere from $94 to $133 with the average total hourly cash compensation of $110.

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Why are Delta pilots paid so much? Smaller airlines face a shortage of pilots as major airlines recruit from their ranks. While the biggest carriers say they have enough pilots, the shortage has given unions leverage to bargain for rich pay increases.

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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.

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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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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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Moreover, cargo pilots have one of the highest paid positions in the aviation industry. The highest paid cargo pilots i.e the 90th percentile of these professionals can earn up to $137,096 on average.

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Delta Air Lines is one of the largest commercial air carriers in the United States. Pilot domiciles include: ATL, DTW, LAX, MSP, NYC, SEA, and SLC.

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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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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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Delta airlines has announced that it is removing the requirement that its pilot candidates have a four-year college degree. It is now “preferred”. The Atlanta-based carrier becomes the last major U.S. airline to remove the college degree requirement.

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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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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.

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Minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time. Minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed wing turbine time is preferred (airplane and powered lift combined). Minimum of 250 hours PIC or SIC as defined in 14 CFR §61.159(a)(5) in an airplane category. Minimum of 50 hours of multi-engine airplane time.

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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.

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What are the minimum requirements for pilot candidates? At least 23 years of age. High school diploma or GED equivalent.

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The estimated total pay for a Captain at Delta Air Lines is $89,786 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 $66,818 per year.

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By age 65, a commercial pilot's total career earnings would surpass $13 million, compared to those of a doctor ($7.6 million), lawyer ($5.8 million), and engineer ($5 million), according to analysis presented by the pair.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots is around $202,180. Medical doctors came in with a salary of $208,000, lawyers $127,990 and engineers with a median annual wage of $79,840.

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$205K. 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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