The Ultimate Guide to an Endeavor Air Pilot Salary and...

Welcome to the definitive guide on becoming a pilot for Endeavor Air. If you've ever gazed at the sky and felt the pull of the cockpit, you're on the cusp of exploring one of the most challenging and rewarding professions in the world. But beyond the romance of flight lies a critical question for any aspiring aviator: what is the real-world compensation, and what does the career path truly look like? This article is designed to be your co-pilot, navigating the intricate details of an Endeavor Air pilot salary, the day-to-day responsibilities, the long-term career outlook, and the precise steps you need to take to turn this high-flying dream into a reality.

As a career analyst specializing in professional development, I’ve seen countless individuals weigh the significant investment of time and money against the potential rewards of a pilot career. Endeavor Air, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, represents a unique and highly sought-after entry point into the world of major airline flying. Their pilots can expect to earn a starting first-year salary between $90,000 and $110,000, with Captains earning well over $200,000 annually at the top of the pay scale. I once spoke with a young First Officer who had just completed his initial training at Endeavor. The sheer relief and excitement in his voice weren't just about finally flying a jet; it was about the clarity of his future—a direct, defined path to a career at Delta. That clarity is what we aim to provide you with today.

This comprehensive guide will demystify the numbers, break down the benefits, and chart a course for your success. We will explore every facet of this career, grounded in authoritative data and industry insights, to give you the confidence to make an informed decision about your future.

### Table of Contents

[What Does an Endeavor Air Pilot Do?](#what-does-an-endeavor-air-pilot-do)
[Average Endeavor Air Pilot Salary: A Deep Dive](#average-endeavor-air-pilot-salary-a-deep-dive)
[Key Factors That Influence an Endeavor Air Pilot's Salary](#key-factors-that-influence-salary)
[Job Outlook and Career Growth for Endeavor Air Pilots](#job-outlook-and-career-growth)
[How to Become an Endeavor Air Pilot: A Step-by-Step Guide](#how-to-get-started-in-this-career)
[Conclusion: Is a Career as an Endeavor Air Pilot Right for You?](#conclusion)

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What Does an Endeavor Air Pilot Do?

An Endeavor Air pilot is a highly skilled professional responsible for the safe and efficient operation of Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ-700 and CRJ-900) on behalf of Delta Connection. As a regional airline, Endeavor feeds passengers from smaller cities to Delta's major hubs, forming a critical link in the global air transportation network. The role extends far beyond simply manipulating the controls of an aircraft; it's a position of immense responsibility, requiring technical mastery, sharp decision-making, and exceptional crew resource management.

The core of the job is shared between two flight crew members: the Captain (CA) and the First Officer (FO).

The Captain is the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and holds ultimate responsibility for the safety of the aircraft, passengers, and crew. They make the final decisions regarding the flight, lead the crew, and ensure all procedures and regulations are followed.
The First Officer is the second-in-command and an equally qualified pilot. They assist the Captain in all aspects of flight operations, including flight planning, communications, and flying the aircraft. The roles of "Pilot Flying" (PF) and "Pilot Monitoring" (PM) are typically alternated between the Captain and First Officer on different legs of a trip.

### Daily Tasks and Core Responsibilities

An Endeavor Air pilot's duties are structured and meticulously planned, beginning long before the passengers board and ending well after they've deplaned.

Pre-Flight Preparations: This phase is critical for safety. It involves a thorough review of the flight plan, which includes the route, weather forecasts, fuel requirements, aircraft weight and balance, and any relevant NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions). Pilots conduct a detailed external walk-around inspection of the aircraft to check for any visible issues with the engines, fuselage, wings, and landing gear.
Cockpit Setup and Briefings: Inside the cockpit, the pilots program the Flight Management System (FMS), conduct system tests, and perform a series of checklist flows to ensure every switch and system is in the correct configuration for flight. They hold a crew briefing with the flight attendants to discuss the flight time, expected turbulence, and any special passenger needs.
Flight Operations: During the flight, one pilot is designated the Pilot Flying and the other is the Pilot Monitoring. They work in tandem, constantly communicating with Air Traffic Control (ATC), monitoring aircraft systems, navigating the planned route, and making adjustments for weather or traffic. While modern jets have sophisticated autopilots, pilots are actively engaged throughout, especially during the critical phases of takeoff, climb, descent, and landing.
Post-Flight Duties: After landing, pilots complete final checklists, taxi the aircraft to the gate, and supervise the shutdown procedure. They finalize the flight log, report any maintenance issues to ground crews, and prepare for their next flight or the end of their duty day.

### A "Day in the Life" of an Endeavor Air First Officer

To make this tangible, let's walk through a typical day for a First Officer based in Detroit (DTW).

05:30: The alarm goes off in a hotel room in Green Bay, Wisconsin (GRB). The FO had the last flight in last night and is on an overnight. They quickly get ready, check the weather for their route back to DTW, and grab a coffee.
06:45: The hotel shuttle takes the crew—two pilots and two flight attendants—to the airport.
07:15 (Show Time): The crew arrives at the aircraft. The Captain begins reviewing the flight release paperwork from dispatch, while the FO starts the pre-flight walk-around inspection in the early morning light.
07:40: Both pilots are in the cockpit. The FO powers up the aircraft and begins programming the FMS for the flight to DTW. The Captain reviews the maintenance log. They work through their checklists together, their actions and callouts a well-rehearsed symphony of procedure.
08:00: Boarding begins. The pilots conduct their pre-departure briefing with the flight attendants.
08:20: "Boarding complete." The gate agent closes the door. The pilots receive their final clearance from ATC, and the jet bridge pulls away.
08:30 (Departure): The CRJ-900 pushes back from the gate. After a short taxi, they are cleared for takeoff. The FO is the Pilot Flying for this leg, smoothly advancing the thrust levers and rotating the jet into the sky.
09:45 (Arrival): After an uneventful cruise, they land smoothly at Detroit Metro Airport. After taxiing to the gate, they complete their shutdown checklists.
10:15: The crew deplanes and heads to the crew room. They have a two-hour sit before their next flight, this one to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). They use this time to grab lunch and prepare for the next leg.
12:15: The cycle begins again: pre-flight, boarding, and departure for LGA. This time, the Captain is the Pilot Flying.
14:00: They land at LGA, one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the world. After this leg, their duty day is done. They take a hotel van to their layover hotel in Queens, check in, and agree to meet for dinner in a few hours. The rest of the evening is their own to rest and prepare for another day of flying tomorrow.

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Average Endeavor Air Pilot Salary: A Deep Dive

Analyzing an Endeavor Air pilot's salary requires a different approach than for a typical salaried professional. Airline pilots are paid an hourly rate, but only for "block time"—the period from when the aircraft pushes back from the gate to when it arrives at the destination gate. However, their contracts guarantee a minimum number of paid hours per month, typically around 75 hours, ensuring a stable income even if they fly slightly less.

The pay rates at Endeavor Air are determined by a collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which means pay is transparent, predictable, and increases with longevity.

As of the most recent contract data, a new-hire First Officer at Endeavor Air starts at an industry-leading rate of $90 per hour. This is a significant figure in the regional airline industry and reflects the high demand for qualified pilots. A First Officer's pay increases annually, reaching $111 per hour by their fifth year.

The real jump in compensation occurs with the upgrade to Captain. A new Captain at Endeavor Air earns $150 per hour. This rate also increases with years of service, topping out at $222 per hour for a Captain with 20 years of longevity.

### Salary Brackets by Experience Level

To translate these hourly rates into annual figures, we can multiply them by the monthly guarantee (75 hours) and then by 12 months, and then add a conservative estimate for flying additional hours (overtime), which is common.

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_Source: Data is based on the published Endeavor Air pilot contract pay scales. Annual salary estimates are calculated based on a 75-hour monthly guarantee plus a conservative 10-15% of additional paid hours, which pilots often accrue._

### Breakdown of a Pilot's Full Compensation Package

The hourly wage is only one part of a pilot's total compensation. A comprehensive benefits package significantly increases the overall value of the job.

Sign-On and Retention Bonuses: To attract top talent in a competitive market, Endeavor Air frequently offers substantial bonuses. Currently, they offer a $40,000 signing bonus for new pilots. Furthermore, they have an unprecedented retention bonus program that pays out $110,000 over four years of service. This is a powerful financial incentive.
Per Diem: Pilots receive a non-taxed hourly stipend for every hour they are away from their home base on a trip. As of 2024, the Endeavor Air per diem rate is $2.15 per hour. This is intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while on the road. For a pilot who spends 15 nights a month on overnights, this can add several hundred dollars of tax-free income to their monthly pay.
Retirement Savings (401k): Endeavor Air offers a robust 401(k) plan. The company provides a generous 12% company contribution to a pilot's 401(k) based on their earnings, with an additional 4% matching contribution if the pilot also contributes. This 16% total company contribution is a cornerstone of a pilot's long-term financial planning.
Health and Wellness Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance are standard, providing a safety net for pilots and their families.
Travel Privileges: This is one of the most famous perks of the airline industry. Endeavor Air pilots (and their eligible family members) enjoy free or heavily discounted "space-available" travel on Delta Air Lines' entire global network. This benefit allows for unparalleled travel opportunities around the world.
Paid Time Off: Pilots accrue paid vacation time based on their years of service, allowing for scheduled breaks from their demanding work schedule.
Guaranteed Days Off: The ALPA contract ensures a minimum number of days off per month (typically 11-12), which helps maintain a work-life balance.

When you combine the base salary, bonuses, per diem, and the immense value of the retirement contributions and travel benefits, the total compensation package for an Endeavor Air pilot is one of the most competitive in the regional airline sector.

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Key Factors That Influence an Endeavor Air Pilot's Salary

While the union contract creates a standardized pay scale, several key factors dramatically influence a pilot's career trajectory and earning potential. Understanding these levers is crucial for any aspiring aviator aiming to maximize their income and career progression.

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Level of Education and Flight Training Path

While a four-year college degree is not a strict FAA requirement to fly commercially, it has become a *de facto* standard for major airlines and significantly impacts the path to getting there.

The Bachelor's Degree Advantage: Major airlines like Delta strongly prefer candidates with a four-year degree. Since Endeavor's primary value proposition is the direct flow-through to Delta, obtaining a degree is a strategic imperative for long-term career success. More importantly, an aviation-related bachelor's degree from an FAA-approved university can grant eligibility for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate. This allows a pilot to be hired by an airline with only 1,000 or 1,250 flight hours instead of the standard 1,500. This can accelerate a pilot's career by 6-12 months, allowing them to start earning an airline salary much sooner.
Flight School (Part 61 vs. Part 141):
Part 141 schools are FAA-approved and have a highly structured curriculum. These are often associated with university aviation programs and are the typical route to an R-ATP.
Part 61 schools are less structured and offer more flexibility, which can sometimes be more cost-effective. However, training under Part 61 generally requires the full 1,500 hours to obtain an ATP certificate.

Financial Impact: Choosing a university path for an R-ATP costs more upfront in tuition but can result in earning a First Officer salary of $90,000+ a year earlier than a pilot who needs to build an extra 500 hours of flight time as an instructor, where pay is significantly lower (typically $30,000-$50,000 per year).

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Years of Experience and Career Progression

This is the single most significant factor in a pilot's salary. In the airline industry, experience is measured in two ways: longevity (years of service) and flight time (in hours).

Longevity Pay: As illustrated in the salary table above, a pilot's hourly rate automatically increases with each year they remain with the company. A 10-year Captain earns substantially more per hour than a 1-year Captain, even though they fly the same aircraft and routes. This system rewards loyalty and experience.
The Upgrade to Captain: The transition from First Officer to Captain is the most substantial pay raise in a pilot's career at a regional airline. At Endeavor, this means going from a top FO rate of $111/hr to a starting Captain rate of $150/hr—a nearly 35% increase in base pay. The time it takes to upgrade depends on pilot attrition, airline growth, and a pilot's seniority. Historically, this has ranged from 2 to 5 years at Endeavor. A faster upgrade means reaching a much higher salary bracket years ahead of schedule.
The Flow-Through to Delta: The ultimate career progression for an Endeavor pilot is the Endeavor-to-Delta Pilot Pathway (EDP). This program guarantees that Endeavor pilots will be offered a First Officer position at Delta Air Lines once they meet the required seniority and experience, without having to go through the highly competitive external interview process. A first-year FO at Delta earns approximately $117 per hour on a much larger aircraft, with a pay scale that rapidly climbs to over $300/hr for a narrow-body Captain and over $400/hr for a wide-body Captain. The financial incentive to flow from Endeavor to Delta is immense and is the primary long-term salary driver.

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Geographic Location (Crew Base)

Unlike many professions, a pilot's hourly wage at Endeavor Air is the same regardless of where they are based. A Captain in New York earns the same per flight hour as a Captain in Minneapolis. However, geographic location has a profound indirect impact on a pilot's financial well-being.

Cost of Living: Endeavor Air has crew bases in major metropolitan areas, including New York (JFK/LGA), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), and Atlanta (ATL). The cost of living varies dramatically between these cities. A $150,000 annual salary will go much further in Detroit or Minneapolis than it will in the New York City area. Pilots must factor housing, transportation, and taxes into their decision when bidding for a base.
Commuting vs. Living in Base: Many pilots choose to "commute" to their crew base, meaning they live in a different city and fly (using their travel benefits) to their base to start a trip. While this allows a pilot to live in a low-cost-of-living area, it comes with its own costs: time spent on days off commuting, the stress of catching flights, and the potential need for a "crash pad" (a shared apartment) near the airport. These factors can eat into both time and money, effectively reducing a pilot's quality of life and net income. Living in base, while potentially more expensive, simplifies life and maximizes time at home.

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Company Type & Size (Regional vs. Major)

This factor is built into the Endeavor career path. Endeavor Air is a top-tier regional airline, but it is still a regional airline.

Regional Airlines (e.g., Endeavor, SkyWest, Republic): These airlines operate smaller jets (50-76 seats) and serve as feeders for major airlines. They offer excellent training and are the primary entry point for pilots into the airline industry. While Endeavor's pay is at the top of the regional market, it is still lower than that of major airlines.
Major Airlines (e.g., Delta, United, American): These are the pinnacle of the profession. They operate large domestic and international aircraft (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A350) and offer the highest salaries in the industry. As mentioned, the career goal for most Endeavor pilots is to flow to Delta, where Captains on wide-body aircraft can earn over $450,000 per year in base salary alone. The size and profitability of the major airline directly dictate the top-end earning potential for a pilot's career.

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Area of Specialization (Additional Roles)

Within the pilot group, there are opportunities to take on specialized roles that come with additional pay, known as "pay overrides." These roles leverage a pilot's experience and expertise.

Line Check Airman (LCA): These are highly experienced Captains who are certified to observe and evaluate other pilots during regular line flights (revenue flights with passengers). They ensure company procedures and FAA standards are being met. LCAs receive a significant pay override for the hours they spend performing these duties.
Simulator Instructor: These pilots train and evaluate other pilots in full-motion flight simulators. This is a critical role for initial training, recurrent training, and upgrades. This work also comes with a pay override.
Recruiter / Interviewer: Pilots can volunteer or be selected to represent the airline at career fairs and conduct interviews for new pilot candidates. This often includes extra pay or flight-hour credits.

Taking on these roles not only increases annual income but also enhances a pilot's professional resume, demonstrating leadership and a commitment to training, which is highly valued at major airlines like Delta.

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In-Demand Skills (Certifications and Ratings)

For a pilot, "skills" are synonymous with FAA-issued certificates and type ratings. These are not just nice-to-haves; they are legal requirements to fly the aircraft.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate: This is the highest level of pilot certificate and is a prerequisite for flying for an airline.
Type Rating: A type rating is a certification to fly a specific aircraft model that weighs over 12,500 pounds (e.g., a CRJ-900 type rating). Endeavor Air provides new hires with the required CRJ type rating as part of their initial training, a process that costs the company tens of thousands of dollars per pilot.
Leadership and Communication: While not a "hard skill," the ability to lead a crew, communicate clearly under pressure, and make sound aeronautical decisions (a skill known as ADM) is what separates a good pilot from a great one. These are the qualities that allow a First Officer to succeed in Captain upgrade training and are what Delta looks for in its future pilots.

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Job Outlook and Career Growth for Endeavor Air Pilots

The career outlook for airline pilots, including those at Endeavor Air, is exceptionally strong for the foreseeable future. This positive forecast is driven by a confluence of factors creating high demand for qualified aviators.

### The Pilot Shortage and Projected Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS anticipates about 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots each year, on average, over the decade.

The BLS states:

> "Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire."

This retirement wave is a critical factor. The FAA mandates that commercial airline pilots retire at age 65. A large cohort of pilots hired in the 1980s and 90s is now reaching this age, creating a steady stream of vacancies at the major airlines. This creates a "pull" effect, where major airlines like Delta hire experienced pilots from regional carriers like Endeavor Air to fill their ranks. In turn, this creates openings at the regional level for new pilots entering the industry.

This dynamic creates a clear and predictable career progression. An Endeavor Air pilot isn't just taking a job; they are stepping onto a moving escalator, with the flow-through to Delta being the top floor.

### Emerging Trends and Future Challenges

While the outlook is positive, aspiring pilots should be aware of emerging trends and potential challenges that will shape the profession.

Technology and Automation: Aircraft are becoming increasingly sophisticated. While the idea of a fully autonomous passenger jet is still decades away (if ever), pilots are now, more than ever, systems managers. A deep understanding of automation, flight management computers, and data-linked communications is essential. Future pilots will need to be lifelong learners, constantly adapting to new technologies.
Economic Sensitivity: The airline industry is notoriously cyclical and highly sensitive to economic downturns, global health crises (as seen with COVID-19), and geopolitical instability. During recessions, travel demand plummets, and airlines may be forced to slow or freeze hiring, and in severe cases, furlough pilots. While the current demand is high, it's a reality of the industry that pilots must be prepared for. Having a strong financial safety net is a wise career strategy.
Training Bottlenecks: The high demand for pilots has placed a strain on the training pipeline. Flight schools, instructors, and simulator capacity are all in high demand. This can sometimes lead to delays in training and a longer time to build the required flight hours.

### How to Stay Relevant and Advance in the Field

For an Endeavor Air pilot, the path to advancement is well-defined. The key is to be a reliable, professional, and proficient pilot.

1. Maintain a Perfect Record: Safety is paramount. A clean flying record, free of incidents, accidents, or disciplinary actions, is non-negotiable for flowing to Delta.

2. Embrace Leadership Roles: As previously mentioned, seeking opportunities to become a Check Airman, instructor, or recruiter demonstrates a commitment to the profession and builds valuable leadership skills.

3. Prioritize Professionalism: This includes everything from on-time performance and a sharp uniform to effective communication with crew members and a positive attitude. Major airlines want to hire future Captains who are not just skilled aviators but also respected leaders and brand ambassadors.

4. Continuous Learning: Stay current with industry news, FAA regulation changes, and new aircraft technologies. A proactive approach to professional development is highly valued.

The career path at Endeavor Air is more than just a job—it's an apprenticeship for a career at a

The Ultimate Guide to an Endeavor Air Pilot Salary and Career Path (2024)

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