Delta Pilot Salary: 2025 Compensation Guide for First Officers and Captains

If you're considering a career as a Delta Air Lines pilot, understanding the compensation package is crucial for your career planning. Delta consistently ranks among the highest-paying airlines in the United States, offering competitive salaries, exceptional benefits, and a clear path for career advancement. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what Delta pilots earn in 2025 and what factors influence their total compensation.

How Much Do Delta Pilots Make in 2025?

Delta pilot salaries vary significantly based on position, experience, and aircraft type. The airline operates with two primary pilot positions: First Officers (co-pilots) and Captains, each with distinct pay scales that reflect their level of responsibility and seniority.

First Officer Salary Range

First Officers at Delta Air Lines earn between $109,000 and $280,000 annually in 2025¹. Entry-level First Officers typically start closer to $100,000, while senior First Officers with significant flight experience can earn upwards of $230,000 per year². This substantial range reflects the progressive pay increases that come with accumulated flight hours and years of service.

The First Officer position serves as the essential entry point for pilots joining Delta's mainline operations, providing valuable experience while earning a competitive salary that surpasses many other career fields requiring similar education levels.

Captain Salary Range

Delta Captains command significantly higher compensation, with annual salaries ranging from $300,000 to $400,000 in 2025¹². A Captain flying an Airbus A320 with six years of experience, for example, can expect to earn approximately $321,594 annually². Senior Captains operating wide-body aircraft on international routes frequently exceed $400,000 in total annual compensation when factoring in all pay components.

This substantial pay differential between First Officers and Captains reflects the increased responsibility, decision-making authority, and extensive experience required for the Captain role.

Delta Pilot Pay Structure Explained

Understanding how Delta calculates pilot compensation requires familiarity with the hourly rate system and guaranteed monthly minimums that form the foundation of airline pilot pay.

Hourly Pay Rates

Delta pilots are compensated based on an hourly rate that varies by position, seniority, and aircraft type. In 2025, Delta Captains earn between $216 and $456 per hour, while First Officers earn between $118 and $311 per hour³. A top-of-scale Boeing 777 Captain, for instance, earns $417.54 per hour³.

These hourly rates received an 18% increase in January 2023, with additional raises of 5% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and another 4% scheduled for 2026². This contractual progression ensures Delta pilots' compensation keeps pace with inflation and industry standards.

Guaranteed Monthly Hours

Delta guarantees a minimum number of monthly flight hours for each pilot, ensuring stable income regardless of schedule variations. First Officers typically receive a guarantee of 74 hours per month, while Captains are guaranteed 65 hours³. Even if a pilot flies fewer hours due to scheduling or operational factors, they receive compensation for the guaranteed minimum.

This structure means a junior First Officer earning $118 per hour is guaranteed at least $8,732 per month ($104,784 annually) from flight hours alone, before any additional compensation components.

How Aircraft Type Affects Pay

The specific aircraft a pilot operates significantly impacts their hourly rate. Wide-body aircraft used for international long-haul flights, such as the Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Boeing 767, command higher hourly rates than narrow-body domestic aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737³.

Pilots also earn international override pay of $6.50 per hour for Captains and $4.50 per hour for First Officers when operating flights that involve ocean crossings³. This premium compensates for the increased complexity and duration of international operations.

Beyond Base Salary: Total Compensation Package

While base salary forms the largest component of Delta pilot compensation, several additional benefits significantly boost total earnings and financial security.

Profit Sharing at Delta

Delta's profit-sharing program represents one of the most generous in the airline industry. Each year Delta earns a profit, the company distributes 10% of adjusted profits up to $2.5 billion and 20% of adjusted profits exceeding $2.5 billion to eligible employees worldwide⁴.

Recent profit-sharing payouts include:

• 2024: 10.4% of annual pay
• 2023: 5.6% of annual pay
• 2019 (pre-pandemic): 16.6% of annual pay⁴

For a Captain earning $350,000 annually, a 10.4% profit-sharing payment adds $36,400 to their total compensation—a substantial bonus that rewards pilots for the airline's success.

401(k) and Retirement Benefits

Delta provides industry-leading retirement benefits for pilots. The company contributes 17% directly to pilot 401(k) accounts, increasing to 18% beginning January 1, 2026⁴. Additionally, Delta matches 100% of employee contributions up to 6% of eligible earnings⁴.

This means a pilot contributing 6% of their salary receives a total company contribution of 23% (17% direct + 6% match), significantly accelerating retirement savings. Pilots also have access to the Market Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP), a tax-deferred option for 401(k) contributions exceeding IRS limits⁴.

Per Diem and International Override Pay

Pilots receive per diem payments to cover meals and incidental expenses while away from their home base. In 2025, Delta pilots receive $2.85 per hour for domestic flights and $3.30 per hour for international flights⁴. These payments are tax-advantaged and provide additional income beyond the base hourly rate.

Additional Benefits and Perks

Delta pilots enjoy comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, and disability coverage. Perhaps most notably, pilots and their eligible family members receive flight benefits, allowing heavily discounted or free travel on Delta and partner airlines—a significant perk for those passionate about aviation and travel.

Career Progression: From First Officer to Captain

The path from First Officer to Captain at Delta follows a seniority-based system that rewards experience and tenure.

Timeline and Requirements

The timeline to upgrade from First Officer to Captain varies based on hiring rates, retirements, and fleet growth. Historically, pilots at Delta have upgraded to Captain within 5-10 years, though this timeline can fluctuate significantly based on operational needs¹.

To qualify for Captain, pilots must accumulate substantial flight hours, demonstrate proficiency in their aircraft type, and complete Delta's rigorous Captain upgrade training program.

Pay Increases by Seniority

Within each position, pilots progress through pay scales based on years of service. A First Officer at year one earns significantly less per hour than a First Officer at year 10, even when flying the same aircraft. This seniority-based progression ensures pilots see consistent pay increases throughout their careers, with the most substantial jump occurring upon upgrade to Captain.

How to Become a Delta Pilot

Aspiring Delta pilots must meet stringent requirements and accumulate substantial flight experience before qualifying for a First Officer position.

Flight Hour Requirements

Delta requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time⁵. Additionally, the airline prefers 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time, with a minimum of 500 turbine hours required in a non-powered lift airplane⁵. Pilots must also have at least 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Second in Command (SIC)⁵.

These requirements exceed the basic ATP minimums, reflecting Delta's commitment to hiring experienced, qualified pilots.

ATP Certificate and Education

Applicants must possess a current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) written exam and an FCC Radiotelephone Operator's Permit⁵. While a four-year college degree is highly preferred, Delta eliminated the strict degree requirement in January 2022, opening opportunities for qualified pilots without bachelor's degrees⁵.

Delta Propel Pilot Career Path Program

Delta's Propel program provides a structured pathway for aspiring pilots to reach the airline's cockpit. Through partnerships with flight schools and regional carrier Endeavor Air, Propel participants receive mentorship, financial benefits, and a conditional job offer with Delta upon meeting program milestones⁵.

This program creates a clear roadmap for pilots to progress from initial training through regional airline experience to a coveted position at Delta mainline.

How Delta Compares to Other Major Airlines

Delta consistently ranks among the top-paying U.S. airlines, often competing with United and American Airlines for the highest pilot compensation. Following Delta's substantial pay increases in 2023, several other major carriers matched or exceeded these raises to remain competitive in pilot recruitment and retention.

While specific rankings fluctuate based on contract negotiations, Delta's combination of base pay, profit sharing, and retirement benefits places it at or near the top of industry compensation packages. For a complete breakdown of pilot salaries across all major, regional, and cargo carriers, see our Airline Pilot Salary: Complete 2025 Compensation Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delta Pilot Salaries

Q: Do Delta pilots get paid during training? A: Yes, pilots receive compensation during initial training and upgrade training programs.

Q: How often do Delta pilots receive pay increases? A: Pilots receive annual longevity-based increases according to their contract pay scales, plus any negotiated contract raises.

Q: What is the highest salary a Delta pilot can earn? A: Senior wide-body Captains can earn $450,000+ annually when including base pay, profit sharing, per diem, and other compensation.

Q: Do Delta pilots pay for their uniforms? A: Delta provides uniforms for pilots, though there may be nominal costs for certain items.

Q: Can Delta pilots choose their base location? A: Pilots bid for base assignments based on seniority, with more senior pilots having greater choice of domicile.

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