Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Delta Pilot: Salary, Benefits, and Life in the Sky
Becoming a pilot for Delta Airlines is a dream for many people who love aviation. Delta is one of the biggest airlines in the world, and flying for them means you’re part of a respected and successful company.
But what does it mean to be a Delta pilot? How much do they make, and what benefits do they get? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about working as a Delta pilot, including salary, benefits, work-life balance, and much more.
Delta Pilot Salary: How Much Do You Earn?
If you are considering becoming a Delta pilot, one of the first things you might want to know is how much you can earn. Delta pilots make a good salary, and this can vary depending on your experience and the position you hold. Here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to earn.
First Officers (Co-Pilots)
As a first officer, also known as a co-pilot, you will assist the captain in flying the airplane. When you start, you can expect to earn around $111,000 per year, which is about $8,000 per month. However, this number can increase over time as you gain experience and seniority with Delta.
Captains
When you become a captain, you are in charge of the aircraft, and your salary goes up. Delta captains make between $150,000 and $250,000 annually, which translates to $12,000 to $15,000 per month. Your salary will increase the longer you’ve been flying, and if you fly larger planes or have more flying hours, you might earn more as well.
Extra Pay for Extra Hours
Pilots can also earn extra money if they work more hours than scheduled. Delta pilots can earn anywhere between $100 and $150 per hour for additional flying hours. Captains earn a bit more — between $150 and $200 per hour for extra hours worked. This means that the more hours you fly, the higher your earnings.
It’s Not Just About the Money
The salary is just one part of the equation. Delta offers a lot of great benefits to their pilots, making it an even more attractive job. These benefits can add a lot of value to your overall compensation package. Here are some of the top perks:
Flight Benefits
One of the most exciting benefits of being a Delta pilot is the flight benefits. Pilots can fly for free or at a huge discount on Delta flights. This means you can travel around the world without spending a lot of money on flights.
It’s a great way to see new places, visit family, or just take a vacation. Plus, you can often bring a family member or friend along for a discounted price.
Health and Retirement Benefits
Delta also provides its pilots with excellent health benefits. You’ll get coverage for medical, dental, and vision care for yourself and your family. This is important because healthcare can be expensive, and having good coverage means you won’t have to worry about medical bills.
In addition to health insurance, Delta offers a strong retirement plan. They provide a 401(k), which is a retirement savings plan, and they also offer profit-sharing. This means that when Delta does well, pilots share in the company’s success, and that money is added to their retirement savings.
Paid Time Off
As a pilot, you won’t be working every single day. In fact, you’ll have plenty of time off. Delta pilots get vacation days each year, and the number of days increases as you stay with the company.
Depending on how long you’ve been working for Delta, you could get between 18 and 25 vacation days annually. You will also have sick leave if you’re not feeling well. This gives you time to recover and take care of yourself when needed.
Training and Development
Another great benefit of working for Delta is the training and development they provide. Delta offers training programs to help pilots keep their skills sharp. This includes both classroom training and practice sessions using flight simulators.
As a pilot, you’ll need to continually improve your skills and knowledge, and Delta helps you do that with continuous education.
How Does Delta Compare to Other US Airlines?
You might be wondering how Delta’s pilot pay and benefits compare to other airlines in the United States. How do they stack up against airlines like United or American Airlines? Let’s take a look.
United Airlines
At United Airlines, first officers earn between $100,000 and $120,000 per year, which is slightly lower than Delta’s starting pay. As for captains, they can make anywhere from $150,000 to $250,000 annually, which is similar to Delta’s pay.
American Airlines
At American Airlines, first officers earn between $110,000 and $130,000, while captains earn between $150,000 and $250,000. Again, these numbers are close to what Delta offers, meaning that Delta’s pay is competitive within the airline industry.
Work-Life Balance: What’s the Schedule Like?
Being a Delta pilot can be a rewarding job, but like most airline jobs, it’s not a typical 9-to-5. The schedule can vary depending on your role, experience, and seniority. When you start, you’ll be on reserve, which means you may be called to fly at any time.
You won’t know your schedule for sure, but this can change as you get more seniority with Delta.
Once you gain more experience and seniority, you can bid for a more predictable schedule. However, keep in mind that long-haul flights, which take you to other countries, are a regular part of the job.
This can mean you’re away from home for a few days at a time, which can be tough for some pilots. But you’ll still get 8 to 10 days off each month, which gives you time to rest and spend time with family.
It’s also worth noting that Delta pilots get paid for any time spent away from home, so you’re compensated for overnight stays in other cities.
How to Become a Delta Pilot: What’s the Training Like?
Becoming a Delta pilot takes time, hard work, and dedication. It’s not an easy path, but it’s definitely worth it for those who are passionate about flying.
Educational Requirements
To become a Delta pilot, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. While you don’t need to have a degree in aviation specifically, it’s helpful to have a background in math, science, or engineering.
Flight Hours
One of the most important requirements to become a Delta pilot is having enough flight hours. For a first officer, you’ll need a minimum of 1,500 flight hours. This means you’ll need to have completed a lot of flying training and experience before you can even apply.
To become a captain, you’ll need even more hours — usually 3,000 to 5,000 flight hours. The more hours you have, the more experience you’ll have, and the better chance you’ll have of getting hired by Delta.
FAA Certification
You’ll also need to have a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a key part of becoming a pilot, and it shows that you have the necessary skills to safely fly an aircraft.
Once you’re hired by Delta, you’ll undergo extensive training, including ground school and flight simulator training. Even after you’re hired, Delta requires pilots to go through regular recurrent training to ensure they stay up-to-date with aviation safety standards.
A Delta Pilot’s Perspective: What’s It Really Like?
To get a real idea of what it’s like to be a Delta pilot, we spoke to Captain Mark, a pilot with over 10 years of experience. Mark shared his thoughts on being a Delta pilot:
“The job is demanding, but the benefits are amazing. I’ve been with Delta for a decade, and I’ve traveled to so many places I never thought I’d visit. The schedule is flexible, and you get plenty of time off. The pay is great, and the training is top-notch. Sure, it can be tiring, especially when you’re flying long-haul flights, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
Mark emphasized the flexibility of the schedule as one of the best things about being a Delta pilot. He also pointed out how much Delta invests in their pilots’ training, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Is Delta the Right Airline for You?
If you’re thinking about becoming a Delta pilot, it’s important to consider both the rewards and the challenges. The salary is competitive, and the benefits are excellent.
You’ll have the opportunity to travel the world and meet new people. However, the job isn’t without its challenges, particularly when it comes to time away from home and the demanding training process.
Overall, becoming a Delta pilot can be a great career for those who are passionate about aviation and ready to commit to the training and hard work required. If you’re willing to put in the effort, the rewards are well worth it.
With a strong salary, great benefits, and the chance to fly all over the world, Delta Airlines could be the perfect place for you to start your career in aviation.