Comparison · 2026
American Airlines vs FedEx Express Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: American Airlines vs FedEx Express
| Year | American Airlines | FedEx Express |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $309,000 | $224,640 |
| Year 5 | $319,000 | $253,440 |
| Year 12 | $336,000 | $268,800 |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing American Airlines and FedEx Express pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, American Airlines leads on base salary by about $67,200. American Airlines ranges from $309,000 to $336,000, while FedEx Express runs from $224,640 to $268,800.
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.