What is the starting salary for a Delta pilot?

Moving on to a major airline such as Delta is recommended, though. Starting pay for a Delta Airlines 737-800 Pilot is $66,000. Upon promotion to Captain, though, Delta pilots earn a starting pay of $189,000.



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Moving on to a major airline such as Delta is recommended, though. Starting pay for a Delta Airlines 737-800 Pilot is $66,000. Upon promotion to Captain, though, Delta pilots earn a starting pay of $189,000.

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It's a well-known fact that getting hired at Delta is more difficult than at any other airline. It's because they will deny even the most qualified individual if they don't have the right attitude. It takes more than just a bunch of flight hours to become a Delta Airlines pilot.

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Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

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As of Sep 22, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Commercial Pilot in the United States is $50,643 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $24.35 an hour. This is the equivalent of $973/week or $4,220/month.

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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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The Atlanta-based carrier becomes the last major U.S. airline to remove the college degree requirement. It joins other major airlines like Southwest, United and American Airlines that don't require their pilots to hold a degree.

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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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Delta Pilot Benefits
  • Profit-sharing.
  • Retirement savings plan.
  • Training and professional development.
  • Competitive life insurance.
  • Comprehensive medical insurance, including dental and optometry.
  • Paid leave benefits.
  • Free and discounted flights.


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

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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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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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In the United States, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) limit pilots to 36 flight hours in a week, 100 hours in 672 hours (28 days), and 1,000 hours in a 365-day calendar period.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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How Much Does a Pilot Make? Pilots made a median salary of $134,630 in 2021. The best-paid 25% made $208,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $100,550.

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