Comparison · 2026
FedEx Express vs SkyWest Airlines Pilot Pay
Captain base salary compared side by side by year of experience, 2026.
Captain base salary: FedEx Express vs SkyWest Airlines
| Year | FedEx Express | SkyWest Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $224,640 | $135,744 |
| Year 5 | $253,440 | $154,118 |
| Year 12 | $268,800 | $186,259 |
Base salary, Captain scale. Comparison shown before taxes and add-ons.
Comparing FedEx Express and SkyWest Airlines pilot pay for 2026: at the top of the experience range shown here, FedEx Express leads on base salary by about $82,541. FedEx Express ranges from $224,640 to $268,800, 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.