US Major Airline Pilot Pay – 3.8% Increase for 2025
Here are the latest monthly and annual pilot pay values. The three airlines without recent contracts—Allegiant, FedEx, and Frontier—have lower monthly pay values than other airlines in their category. UPS, where all First Officers (FOs) and Captains earn the same rate regardless of equipment, has the highest pilot pay value among major cargo airlines. Southwest has the highest starting pay for the first four years and for new Captains through 15 years. American Airlines has the highest monthly rate overall for senior wide-body FOs and Captains.
he average pay increase for 2025 is 3.8%, and the average increase for new contracts over the length of the contract is 31.6%. The initial year average increase for a new contract has been 21.3%.
Pilot pay increases at major airlines (5.24%) have doubled the inflation rate (2.47%) since 2010 and are expected to continue that trend if the negotiated annual increases are realized.
Assumptions:
- Captain with 11 years of experience
- Based on current fleet
- Average hours per month
- No extra flying
- No premium flying
Other pay items NOT included: up to 47% more in career value
Retirement contributions of 15% to 18% of monthly/annual pay, fully company-paid.
Profit sharing, which averaged 6.4% in 2025.
Non-retirement benefits—15% for life, health, dental, and vision insurance.
Company Social Security payments—6.2% up to $176,100 in 2025.
Kit Darby
President of KitDarby.com – Aviation Consulting, LLC
(877) 334-2939
KitDarby@gmail.com
