A Look At The Salaries Of FedEx Express Pilots In The US In 2025

Fedex Express is the world’s largest cargo airline by fleet size, operating almost 400 of its own aircraft. The carrier provides air cargo services to more than 375 destinations across the world, spanning six continents. Pilots make up a significant portion of the workforce of FedEx Express, with more than 5,800 currently employed.

The airline’s pilot community is unionized under the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which negotiates contracts covering pay, benefits, and work rules, but how much do they actually earn? In this article, we will take a look at the kind of salaries that pilots can expect to earn when flying for FedEx Express. We will also examine the aircraft operated by the cargo carrier, as well as the position of FedEx Express in the context of the wider air cargo industry.

FedEx Express Salaries

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According to data from ThrustFlight, the average yearly basic salary for a FedEx Express pilot can start at almost $80,000 and go up to over $200,000 for those with more experience. Based on an average of 74 flight hours per month, which is the guaranteed minimum, the basic salaries for First Officers are displayed in the table below.

When it comes to FedEx Express pilots with more experience and who are promoted to the rank of Captain, the salaries are considerably higher. Details of these can be seen in the table below.

It is important to note that the above figures do not include any per diem payments or 401 (k) contributions, which will increase overall packages substantially. Of course, if a pilot completes more than the minimum of 74 flight hours per month, their pay will also increase.

Bonuses & Incentives

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In addition to their basic salary, per diem payments, and 401 (k) contributions, FedEx Express pilots also have access to a number of bonuses and incentives. Some of these are outlined in the table below.

Together, these bonuses and incentives can add as much as $100,000 to the salary of an experienced pilot. For example, an experienced FedEx Express captain can expect to earn in the region of $350,000 per year.

How Does FedEx Express Compare To Other Cargo Carriers?

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When compared to other cargo carriers, FedEx Express offers one of the highest pay packages to its pilots, particularly for those with more experience. UPS Airlines would be the carrier’s closest competitor in terms of pay, and depending on rank and seniority, even offers more than FedEx Express – reports suggest that the most experienced captains flying for UPS Airlines can earn in excess of $390,000.

Pilots at independent cargo operators like Atlas Air, Kalitta, and ATI typically earn less than those at FedEx or UPS, both at the entry level and in senior roles, averaging around $150,000 – $200,000 for a captain. Meanwhile, Amazon Air pilots are paid significantly less than those flying for the legacy carriers, with reports showing captain salaries up to a third lower than at FedEx Express or UPS Airlines.

Where Does FedEx Express Have Pilot Bases?

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The carrier’s headquarters are located at Memphis International Airport (MEM). However, pilots flying for FedEx Express normally operate from one of the carrier’s worldwide bases.

Some of these operational bases are located in North America, while others are found in Asia and Europe, as detailed in the table above.

What Are The Requirements To Be A FedEx Pilot?

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On its website, FedEx Express lists the requirements that must be met by candidates hoping to join the carrier as a pilot. Prospective pilots must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and they must also have accumulated at least 1,500 hours of fixed-wing flight time, with preference given to jet aircraft. In addition to the carrier’s own requirements, there are also a number of regulatory requirements that must be met for pilots to be eligible to fly for FedEx Express.

These come from bodies such as the US Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, and the Transportation Security Administration. The stipulations from these agencies include holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, a current first-class medical certificate, and a radiotelephone operator’s permit. Candidates must also be able to successfully complete both a Pilot Records Improvement Act evaluation and a pre-employment drug test.

FedEx Express has two different pathways for pilots to build up experience prior to joining the airline: the military pathway and the commercial pathway. Many former military pilots (such as those from the US Air Force) choose to join the airline, while others opt to accumulate flying hours working for commercial operators or other cargo carriers.

All About FedEx Express

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FedEx Express was founded in 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee, and is today the world’s largest cargo airline when measured by fleet size, operating over 380 aircraft. The airline is owned by FedEx, and flies to 375 destinations in 220 countries and territories across six continents each day. FedEx Express is best known for its overnight delivery services in the US and international express services worldwide, and in addition to its six pilot bases, the carrier has a growing number of regional hubs.

These include at Miami International Airport (MIA), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG), Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), and Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). The COVID-19 pandemic saw demand for global air cargo increase exponentially, which benefited carriers such as FedEx Express.

While that growth has since slowed slightly, demand is still high. However, the past few years have not been without their challenges for FedEx Express, including rising fuel costs, growing competition from rival carriers like UPS Airlines and DHL, and shifting global trade patterns. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce giants with their own delivery networks, such as Amazon, has placed pressure on traditional cargo carriers to innovate and adapt.

Sustainability & Safety

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Sustainability is also a key focus area for FedEx Express, with the airline investing heavily in reducing emissions through aircraft modernization, more fuel-efficient delivery vehicles, and alternative energy sources. FedEx Express has committed to carbon-neutral operations by 2040, which is even more ambitious than the sustainability goals of many commercial airlines.

FedEx Express boasts an impressive safety record, with only one fatal accident in its more than 30-year operational history. This occurred in March 2009, when one of the carrier’s McDonnell Douglas MD-11Fs (registered as N526FE), crashed while landing in windy conditions at Tokyo Narita Airport.

Upon touching down, the aircraft bounced on its nose gear before banking to the left when its wing clipped the ground. The MD-11F burst into flames and came to rest upside down, killing both the Captain and the First Officer, who were the only people on board.

The Varied Fleet Of FedEx Express

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The latest data from ch-aviation shows that FedEx Express currently operates a fleet of 382 aircraft, made up of five different aircraft types: the Airbus A300-600F, Boeing 757-200SF, Boeing 767-300F, Boeing 777F, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11F. The numbers of each aircraft in the carrier’s mainline fleet are shown in the table below.

In addition to its mainline fleet of primarily widebody aircraft, FedEx Express also has a contracted fleet of an additional 317 regional aircraft, made up of 15 ATR42-300Fs, 19 ATR72-200Fs, 24 ATR72-600Fs, 231 Cessna 208B Super Cargomasters, and 28 Cessna 408 SkyCouriers. Historically, FedEx Express has operated a wide variety of aircraft over the years, including a significant number of Boeing 727Fs, 747Fs, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10Fs.

Despite the recent challenges and changes across the air cargo industry, FedEx Express remains a dominant player in express shipping and continues to expand its global footprint through strategic partnerships, fleet upgrades, and service enhancements. Its relatively high pilot salaries will ensure that the airline continues to attract the best talent, contributing further to its safe and efficient operational performance.