AIRLINE PILOT
PAY CALC

Hourly rates are approximate averages across the top U.S. major carriers (Delta, United, American, Alaska) based on current contract data. Narrow body rates reflect a current Sep 2026 contract. Wide body rates are representative of major carrier averages. Individual carrier rates vary — use the 📋 Pay Scale button to see the full table. Monthly gross uses your selected credit hours. Per diem is calculated at $2.85/hr on a 1:3.5 TAFB rig (credit hours × 3.5 = estimated TAFB hours). Retirement projections assume 1,000 block hours per year — a standard industry assumption for line holders. These are not the same number, which is why the PISP shown in the breakdown may differ slightly from what the retirement projection uses. Company contributes 18% of flight pay directly to your PISP 401k. This is capped at the IRS §415 limit of $72,000 for 2026. Amounts above the cap are paid as taxable cash or directed to a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) depending on your carrier — shown as §415 Cash Overage. The Maximized and Full Picture scenarios don't assume you can fund the gap from day one. Each projection year checks whether the required out-of-pocket contribution is realistic relative to that year's projected salary. If funding the §415 gap would require more than 30% of gross, the calculator falls back to company-only contributions for that year. HSA and Roth IRA are only added when they represent 15% or less of gross. This makes the projections honest for junior FOs without penalizing senior pilots who can realistically max everything. All three scenarios — the projection boxes, the Bingo Number, and the FI Number — use identical contribution logic so the numbers are internally consistent. Returns of 6%, 8%, and 10% reflect a range of historical market outcomes based on long-term S&P 500 averages. Balances shown are pre-tax — traditional 401k withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. Projections hold current pay rates flat, which is conservative since most pilots see real wage growth over their careers. Social Security · home equity · taxable brokerage accounts · spouse income · Cash Balance Plan (CBP/MBCBP) benefits · catch-up contributions ($8,000/yr for ages 50+ in 2026) · profit sharing (optional, toggle to include) · career wage growth above current contract rates · sequence-of-returns risk · inflation adjustment on withdrawals.