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The closest official U.S. benchmark is a $334,930 median annual wage in May 2025 for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers working in courier and express delivery services. That is a useful proxy for cargo-related airline work, not a cargo-pilot-only salary or a guarantee of what a particular FedEx, UPS, or other carrier pilot earns.
What is the average cargo pilot salary?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports median wages, not a cargo-pilot-specific average. Its May 2025 figures distinguish the courier and express delivery industry from broader pilot categories:
| BLS category | May 2025 median annual wage | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in courier and express delivery services | $334,930 | Closest cargo-adjacent industry benchmark; it is not limited to cargo pilots. |
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers across all industries | $232,140 | Broader airline-pilot occupation benchmark. |
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in air transportation | $293,240 | Broader industry category that includes passenger and cargo operations. |
| Commercial pilots | $123,220 | A separate occupational group that includes charter and other unscheduled flying; it is not a cargo-airline pilot salary. |
These are U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics medians for May 2025. A median means half the workers in the measured group earned more and half earned less. The public figures do not break the courier-and-express result out by cargo airline, aircraft, captain or first officer seat, or seniority. BLS airline pilot wage data and BLS occupation details.
Why individual cargo-pilot pay varies
The industry median describes a broad group, while an individual pilot’s earnings depend on the job’s contract and schedule. BLS notes that airline pilots generally receive wage increases with experience and seniority; some also receive per diem for time away from home and extra pay in certain circumstances. Credited flying and contract provisions affect actual earnings. BLS overview of airline and commercial pilots.
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- Seat and seniority: Captain and first-officer rates can differ, as can pay at different service years.
- Aircraft and fleet: Published rates may vary by aircraft or fleet assignment.
- Guarantee and credited time: A monthly minimum guarantee and actual credited flying both matter when translating hourly rates into annual earnings.
- Additional compensation: Per diem, premium pay, profit sharing, and retirement or other benefits may change total compensation.
- Work rules and schedule: Scheduling provisions, time away from home, and other contract terms affect the value of an offer beyond its headline wage.
Do FedEx and UPS cargo pilots make more?
The BLS data do not provide a current, apples-to-apples salary comparison for FedEx, UPS, and other cargo carriers. They cannot establish what a particular carrier’s captain or first officer earns. For a meaningful comparison, use current official pay scales and compare the same seat, fleet, years of service, monthly guarantee, expected credited hours, premium pay, benefits, and contract effective date.
FedEx contract timing
The FedEx pilot group ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in June 2026. ALPA says the agreement took effect June 29, 2026, and is amendable in December 2030; it covers compensation, retirement, scheduling, work rules, and job protections. The ratification announcement establishes the agreement’s timing and scope, but it does not provide a complete salary table. ALPA announcement on the FedEx agreement.
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Union agreements and published pay examples
ALPA says most commercial airline pilot groups in the United States and Canada are unionized and negotiate pay, work rules, and benefits. Its posted charts were marked current as of July 2025, so check the date and applicable agreement before relying on a rate. ALPA pilot pay and benefits.
An Atlas Air career page’s 2025 compensation illustrations used assumptions that included aircraft, seat, service year, a 64-hour monthly guarantee, per diem, profit sharing, and other benefits. Such examples are illustrations under stated assumptions, not a universal salary or a directly comparable official wage statistic. Atlas Air pilot careers.
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What qualifications do cargo pilots typically need?
Professional pilot certification generally involves private and commercial pilot certificates, an instrument rating, a multi-engine rating, and an airline transport pilot certificate. BLS says airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot, though employer requirements vary. BLS pilot career requirements.
FedEx describes college, military, and feeder-network pathways and says it considers factors including flight experience and time as pilot in command. These are one employer’s pathway details, not a promise of employment. FedEx pilot careers.
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