Comparison · 2026
FedEx Express vs JetBlue Airways Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: FedEx Express vs JetBlue Airways
| Year | FedEx Express | JetBlue Airways |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $224,640 | $246,000 |
| Year 5 | $253,440 | $259,000 |
| Year 12 | $268,800 | $283,000 |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing FedEx Express and JetBlue Airways pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, JetBlue Airways leads on base salary by about $14,200. FedEx Express ranges from $224,640 to $268,800, 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.