Comparison · 2026
Delta Air Lines vs JetBlue Airways Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: Delta Air Lines vs JetBlue Airways
| Year | Delta Air Lines | JetBlue Airways |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $313,000 | $246,000 |
| Year 5 | $323,000 | $259,000 |
| Year 12 | $341,000 | $283,000 |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, Delta Air Lines leads on base salary by about $58,000. Delta Air Lines ranges from $313,000 to $341,000, while JetBlue Airways runs from $246,000 to $283,000.
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.