Delta Pilot Pay: What You Need To Know In 2024 & 2025

02 May, 2025

How much does a pilot at Delta Air Lines really make? The numbers are compelling, with potential earnings reaching dizzying heights, making a career in the cockpit a lucrative prospect for those who reach for the sky.

Delta Air Lines, a titan in the aviation industry, isn't just renowned for its expansive global network and commitment to passenger service; it's also celebrated for its competitive compensation packages for its pilots. In an industry where the stakes are high, so are the rewards. But what does it truly take to soar financially in the Delta skies?

Category	Details
Starting Salary (First Officer)	Approximately $66,853.80 to $150,000 per year. In 2025, ranges from $109,209 to $226,598.
Base Salary (Average)	$271,000 per year (Base)
Average Additional Pay	$24,000 per year (Cash bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing, or tips)
Median Annual Salary (2023)	$219,140 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Senior Captain Salary	Potentially $400,000 per year, with some estimations reaching $600,000 or higher.
Captain Salary (2025)	$300,000 to $400,000 per year.
Factors Affecting Pay	Experience, position (First Officer or Captain), aircraft type, flight hours, and seniority.
Pay Increases	18% immediate pay increase in 2023, followed by a 5% increase in 2024, and further increases through December 2026.
2025 Estimated Average Pay	$388,000 per year.
Union Contract	New contract ratified in 2023, representing 78% of Delta pilots, providing $7.2 billion in value over four years.
Pay Structure	Based on skills, experience, and flight hours logged, similar to United Airlines.
Hourly Rate (New First Officer)	Starts around $113 per hour.
Typical Career Earnings	Senior Captains with experience can expect up to a ten-million-dollar career in total earnings.
Benefit of Profit Sharing	Yes, very substantial at Delta.
Reference	Delta Air Lines Official Website

The path to a Delta pilots salary is paved with experience, skill, and dedication. The compensation structure isn't a simple, one-size-fits-all model. Instead, its a nuanced system that acknowledges the varied contributions each pilot brings to the table. As an applicant, it's beneficial to compare the figures across different airlines to understand the competitive landscape.

Pilot compensation at Delta is a blend of various factors. Experience is paramount; the more flight hours logged and the higher the level of expertise, the greater the earning potential. The position held First Officer or Captain significantly impacts the paycheck, with Captains naturally commanding higher salaries. The type of aircraft flown also plays a role, with more complex or larger aircraft often correlating with increased compensation. And, of course, the number of flight hours clocked during a bid period directly influences the final earnings.

Recent years have seen pilot salaries at major airlines like Delta Air Lines become a topic of great interest. The financial incentives are substantial, reflecting the responsibility and skill required in the profession. The new contract, ratified by the pilots union, is a testament to the value Delta places on its flight crews. Delta Air Lines is the world's most profitable airline by a wide margin, and it's committed to sharing that success with its employees.

The numbers speak volumes. The average base salary for a Delta Air Lines pilot sits at a substantial $271,000 per year. However, the financial picture is much richer than that. Pilots also receive additional compensation, which can encompass cash bonuses, stock options, commissions, profit sharing, and even tips, adding an average of $24,000 annually to their earnings. This supplementary income can significantly boost a pilots overall financial package.

The average pay for a Delta pilot in 2025 is projected to be $388,000 per year, illustrating the continued upward trajectory of pilot salaries. Pilot pay at Delta Air Lines ranges from $64,000 per year to $257,000 per year, depending on the position and experience. But the potential to earn much more is certainly there. A senior captain, with years of experience under their belt, can earn around $400,000 annually. Some established airline pilots have the potential for a ten-million-dollar career in total earnings.

The details of the new contract are worth noting. Delta pilots have officially ratified a new agreement, with 78% of pilots voting in favor. This new contract is worth $7.2 billion in value over the course of four years, reflecting the commitment to rewarding pilots for their contributions. The deal includes an immediate 18% pay increase in 2023, followed by a 5% raise in 2024, and additional gains through December 2026, ensuring that Delta pilots benefit from the company's financial success.

The pay scale for Delta pilots, like that of United, is structured to reward experience and progression. A new First Officer might start at around $113 per hour, with rapid increases in the initial years of their career. Within five years, the hourly rate can climb to approximately $213. Furthermore, Delta pilots benefit from substantial profit sharing, which can significantly boost their overall income. Senior pilots can potentially earn $600,000 or even more, factoring in seniority and the choice to take on additional flight trips.

For those charting a course for the cockpit, the starting point is a base salary of $106,000 for Delta Airlines pilots. After promotion to captain, the starting pay jumps to $189,000. Airline pilot salaries continue to be among the highest in the transportation industry, and they're only rising. Data shows that first officers can earn between $109,209 and $226,598 per year in 2025, while captains can make from $300,000 to $400,000.

The median annual salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $219,140 as of May 2023, with the top 10% earning more. The earning potential is considerable for experienced pilots, especially at a profitable airline like Delta. As they progress, a senior captain with the years and the experience, is a testament to the potential within a Delta career.

When joining mainline, first officers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000, dependent on their experience level and the aircraft they're assigned to fly. In 2025, airline pilot salaries remain strong, with the possibility of substantial earning power.

Its important to consider all aspects of a pilots compensation. Pilot compensation is not only in the form of a base salary. The average Delta Air Lines pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $218,492, which is 139% 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.

Deltas pilots are enjoying a 34% pay increase over four years, a significant boost that sets a new industry standard. In 2023, Delta pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, ratified a new pilot working agreement that runs through December 2026, showing the confidence in the long-term health of the airline. The combination of a solid base salary, additional pay elements, and the potential for career progression makes a Delta pilot's career a financially rewarding choice.

The career of a Delta pilot is not just about financial rewards; it is also about the opportunity to fly the world. The combination of competitive compensation, the stability of a leading airline, and the chance to fly a variety of aircraft positions Delta as an appealing destination for aspiring pilots. With the right skills, dedication, and a clear understanding of the compensation structure, a pilot can truly reach for the sky and achieve significant financial success at Delta Air Lines.

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