Comparison · 2026
American Airlines vs United Airlines Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: American Airlines vs United Airlines
| Year | American Airlines | United Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $309,000 | $316,387 |
| Year 5 | $319,000 | $326,582 |
| Year 10 | — | $339,465 |
| Year 12 | $336,000 | — |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing American Airlines and United Airlines pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, United Airlines leads on base salary by about $3,465. American Airlines ranges from $309,000 to $336,000, while United Airlines runs from $316,387 to $339,465.
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.