Comparison · 2026
Alaska Airlines vs SkyWest Airlines Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: Alaska Airlines vs SkyWest Airlines
| Year | Alaska Airlines | SkyWest Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $299,325 | $135,744 |
| Year 5 | $309,302 | $154,118 |
| Year 12 | $326,640 | $186,259 |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing Alaska Airlines and SkyWest Airlines pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, Alaska Airlines leads on base salary by about $140,381. Alaska Airlines ranges from $299,325 to $326,640, while SkyWest Airlines runs from $135,744 to $186,259.
Base salary alone rarely settles which airline pays more. Profit sharing formulas differ significantly between carriers and can swing total compensation by tens of thousands of dollars in a strong year. Retirement contributions, per diem rates, and — critically — the state a pilot is based in for tax purposes all shift the real take-home comparison.
The table below compares base salary side by side. For a complete comparison including profit sharing, 401(k), per diem, and tax-adjusted take-home across every year of a career, open the pay explorer and select both airlines.