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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The available 2025 comparison lists the same widebody pay rates at Delta, American and United for pilots at the 12-year seniority point: $317.73 per hour for first officers and $465.13 per hour for captains. Those are contract-rate figures effective January 1, 2025—not average annual earnings or guaranteed salaries. United separately lists a $120.69-per-flight-hour starting rate for new-hire first officers beginning in 2025.
What did pilots at the three airlines earn per hour in 2025?
A comparison published by Delta’s Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) lists rates effective January 1, 2025 for specified widebody aircraft entries. At the 12-year point, the rates shown are the same for Delta, American and United:
| Seat and seniority | Delta | American | United |
|---|---|---|---|
| First officer, 12 years | $317.73 per hour | $317.73 per hour | $317.73 per hour |
| Captain, 12 years | $465.13 per hour | $465.13 per hour | $465.13 per hour |
These rates apply to the comparison’s A350-900, B777 and B787 entries. They are a snapshot for that date and scope, not proof that every fleet type, seniority step, or compensation component matched across the airlines. See the [ALPA comparison presented by Delta’s Master Executive Council].
How much does a United first officer make at the start?
United states that new-hire first officers beginning in 2025 start at $120.69 per flight hour, subject to the collective bargaining agreement. This is a starting rate for a different seniority point and basis than the 12-year widebody comparison, so the two figures should not be treated as competing estimates of the same pilot’s pay. [United pilot careers]
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Are pilot pay rates annual salaries?
No. The quoted figures are hourly rates, not annual salary guarantees. To estimate annual earnings, a reader would need a defensible figure for credited or paid hours and the applicable contract terms. The cited sources do not establish one common annualization method for these three airlines, so multiplying an hourly rate by an assumed number of hours would create an estimate rather than a reported salary.
What determines which rate applies?
A meaningful comparison must match the pilot’s seat, seniority, aircraft or fleet category, and the rate’s effective date. Compensation beyond the hourly rate can also matter. ALPA says pilot groups negotiate pay, work rules and benefits, and that the process differs among airlines. The available figures do not provide a comparable three-airline breakdown of annual hours, profit sharing, retirement contributions, bonuses, premiums or benefits. [ALPA guidance on pilot pay and benefits]
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What changed in Delta pilot pay around 2025?
Delta’s pilot hiring FAQ says its pay rates increased 18% on January 1, 2023, and lists scheduled increases of 5% on January 1, 2024, 4% on January 1, 2025, and 4% on January 1, 2026. The 2026 increase falls after the date of the comparison above, so it is not part of the January 2025 rates. [Delta pilot hiring FAQ]
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
