FedEx Pilot Salary Guide 2025

If you're considering a career flying cargo for one of the world's largest airlines, understanding FedEx pilot salary is essential to planning your aviation career. FedEx Express operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft and offers competitive compensation packages that make it one of the most sought-after employers in commercial aviation.

FedEx Pilot Salary Overview

The average FedEx pilot salary in 2025 is approximately $216,903 per year, according to industry data¹. However, this figure varies significantly based on several factors including your position (First Officer or Captain), the aircraft you fly, and your years of service with the company.

FedEx pilot compensation ranges from entry-level First Officers earning around $77,760 annually to senior widebody Captains making over $363,000 per year². This wide salary range reflects the structured career progression available to FedEx pilots as they gain experience and advance through the ranks.

Unlike passenger airlines where schedules can vary dramatically, FedEx guarantees pilots a minimum of 74 flight hours per month (68 hours in a four-week bid period and 85 hours in a five-week bid period)³. This monthly guarantee provides income stability and allows pilots to accurately predict their annual earnings.

First Officer Salary at FedEx

Entry-Level First Officer Pay

New FedEx First Officers start their careers with competitive hourly rates that depend on their initial aircraft assignment. First Officers begin at $81 per hour on the Boeing 737 or $84 per hour on the Boeing 777⁴.

Based on the monthly minimum guarantee, entry-level First Officers can expect to earn between $77,760 and $84,000 in their first year, depending on their aircraft type and actual monthly flight hours.

First Officer Career Progression (Years 1-5)

FedEx pilot salary growth is impressive during the early career years. By year two, First Officer pay increases substantially to $156 per hour on the Boeing 737 and $190 per hour on the 777⁴.

First Officers can expect their compensation to grow from approximately $75,000 in year one to around $165,000 after five years of service⁵. This rapid salary progression makes FedEx an attractive option for pilots building their careers in commercial aviation.

Aircraft-Specific Pay Differences

The aircraft you fly significantly impacts your FedEx pilot salary. Widebody aircraft like the Boeing 777 and MD-11 command higher hourly rates than narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737. This pay differential reflects the increased complexity, longer flight times, and international operations typically associated with widebody fleets.

FedEx Captain Salary

Starting Captain Compensation

The transition from First Officer to Captain comes with a substantial pay increase. FedEx Captains start at $234 per hour, which translates to annual earnings of approximately $224,640 to $268,800 based on the monthly guarantee⁶.

This significant jump in compensation reflects the increased responsibility, decision-making authority, and regulatory requirements that come with serving as Pilot in Command.

Senior Captain Earnings (Years 10-15+)

Experienced FedEx Captains enjoy some of the highest compensation in commercial aviation. A Captain of a widebody MD-11 or Boeing 777 makes $277 per hour in the first year as Captain and $326.50 per hour with 12 years on the job, which translates to approximately $363,000 per year⁷.

Senior Captains on the Boeing 777 at year 15 can reach $335 per hour, pushing annual compensation even higher⁸. These figures position FedEx among the top-paying cargo airlines in the industry.

Widebody vs Narrowbody Aircraft Pay

Widebody aircraft consistently offer higher compensation than narrowbody fleets. The pay premium for flying widebody aircraft like the 777 or MD-11 can add tens of thousands of dollars to your annual FedEx pilot salary compared to narrowbody equipment.

FedEx Pilot Benefits Package

FedEx pilot compensation extends well beyond base salary. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that significantly increases total compensation value.

Retirement & Pension Plans

One of the standout features of FedEx pilot compensation is the enhanced legacy pension plan, which can provide up to $169,000 per year at maximum benefit levels⁹. Alternatively, pilots can choose a combination of a lower pension and a cash balance retirement savings plan for greater flexibility.

FedEx also offers a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions, allowing pilots to build additional retirement savings while working¹⁰.

Health Insurance & Time Off

FedEx provides comprehensive health insurance, dental coverage, life insurance, and disability benefits to all pilots¹⁰. The company also offers generous paid time off, including vacation days that increase with seniority.

When pilots are away from home, they receive a per diem allowance to cover meals and incidentals, which provides additional compensation not reflected in base salary figures⁹.

Stock Options & Profit Sharing

FedEx operates a stock option compensation program that allows pilots to purchase company stock at discounted prices, creating valuable long-term investment opportunities⁹. Additionally, profit-sharing programs enable pilots to benefit directly from the company's financial success, potentially adding thousands of dollars to annual compensation in profitable years.

Travel Perks & Per Diem

FedEx pilots and their families enjoy travel perks and benefits, though these differ from passenger airline travel benefits due to FedEx's cargo-focused operations. The per diem allowances for overnight stays add meaningful additional income throughout a pilot's career.

How to Become a FedEx Pilot

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements

FedEx requires a minimum of 500 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) in multi-engine turboprop aircraft (12,500 pounds or greater), jet aircraft, or a combination of both¹¹. However, FedEx prefers candidates with 1,000 hours of PIC time in jet aircraft.

It's important to note that FedEx defines PIC as the Captain or Aircraft Commander of record, not simply acting as the sole manipulator of the controls. The company only counts fixed-wing aircraft time toward minimum qualifications and does not include simulator, helicopter, or special crew time¹¹.

Required Certifications & Licenses

To qualify for a FedEx pilot position, candidates must hold:

• Current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate
• Current First-Class Medical Certificate
• Radio-telephone Operator's Permit
• Valid U.S. passport
• SIDA badge eligibility
• Successful completion of a Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) evaluation¹¹

Education Requirements

While not strictly required, a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university is strongly preferred by FedEx¹¹. Many successful candidates have degrees in aviation, aerospace engineering, or related fields, though FedEx considers candidates from all academic backgrounds.

The FedEx Purple Runway Program

The Purple Runway Program offers an alternative pathway to a FedEx pilot career. Students from accredited aviation universities and pilots who meet employment requirements at Mountain Air Cargo can begin their careers at MAC with a guaranteed flow-through to FedEx Express¹².

Participants must complete a minimum of 36 months of active service and accumulate at least 500 hours as PIC in multi-engine turboprop aircraft before flowing to FedEx¹². This program provides a structured career path for pilots who may not yet meet FedEx's direct hiring requirements.

FedEx vs Other Airlines: Salary Comparison

FedEx vs UPS Pilot Pay

FedEx and UPS represent the two premier cargo airline employers in the United States, and their compensation structures differ in interesting ways. FedEx offers higher starting pay for First Officers, with new FedEx First Officers earning $84 per hour compared to UPS First Officers at $60 per hour¹³.

However, the salary dynamics shift for Captains. A six-year Captain at FedEx averages $287,566 annually, while a UPS Captain with the same experience makes $358,789¹³. This means UPS significantly outpaces FedEx in mid-career Captain compensation.

For a detailed comparison with UPS, see our UPS Pilot Salary Guide: 2025 Pay Scales, Benefits & Career Path.

Cargo vs Passenger Airline Salaries

As of 2024, FedEx pilots earned approximately 10% less than their UPS counterparts and 15% less than commercial pilots at United Airlines or Delta Air Lines¹⁴. However, cargo flying offers lifestyle benefits that many pilots value, including more predictable schedules and the ability to be home more regularly than long-haul international passenger pilots.

When considering total compensation including benefits, retirement plans, and quality of life factors, FedEx pilot salary remains highly competitive within the broader commercial aviation industry.

Factors That Affect FedEx Pilot Salary

Several key factors determine your actual FedEx pilot salary:

Years of Service: Your hourly rate increases with each year of seniority, with the most dramatic increases occurring in the first five years.

Aircraft Type and Fleet Assignment: Widebody aircraft command higher hourly rates than narrowbody aircraft, potentially adding $50,000+ annually to your compensation.

Monthly Guarantee Hours: FedEx's 74-hour monthly guarantee provides a stable income floor, but pilots who fly additional hours earn proportionally more.

Additional Compensation: Per diem payments, profit sharing, override pay (for certain positions), and 401(k) matching contributions significantly increase total compensation beyond base salary figures.

Is a FedEx Pilot Career Worth It?

For qualified pilots, a FedEx career offers compelling advantages beyond salary alone. The combination of competitive FedEx pilot salary, comprehensive benefits, strong retirement plans, and job security at a financially stable company makes FedEx one of the most desirable employers in commercial aviation.

The structured career progression, monthly guarantee hours, and predictable scheduling appeal to pilots seeking work-life balance. While passenger airline pilots at major carriers like Delta and United may earn slightly more, many pilots prefer cargo operations for the lifestyle benefits and the ability to maximize time at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest paid FedEx pilot salary?

Senior Captains on the Boeing 777 with 15+ years of service earn approximately $335 per hour, which translates to over $363,000 annually based on FedEx's monthly guarantee. With additional compensation including per diem, profit sharing, and override pay, total compensation can exceed $400,000 for the most senior pilots.

Do FedEx pilots make more than passenger airline pilots?

FedEx pilot salary is competitive with major passenger airlines but typically runs 10-15% lower than top-paying carriers like Delta and United. However, when factoring in the enhanced pension plan, profit sharing, and lifestyle considerations, total compensation value is comparable.

How long does it take to become a FedEx captain?

The timeline to upgrade from First Officer to Captain varies based on company growth, retirements, and individual performance. On average, FedEx First Officers can expect to upgrade to Captain within 5-10 years, though this timeline can be shorter during periods of rapid expansion.

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