Curious about how much UPS pilots make? In this quick guide, we’ll not only explore the UPS pilot salary but also uncover the steps you need to take to become a UPS pilot.
From meeting the initial UPS pilot requirements to navigating the hiring process, this article is your roadmap to understanding and achieving a successful career as a UPS pilot.
UPS Pilots Pay
Just like the passenger airlines, UPS pilot salary will vary based on the number of hours you fly during each bid period. They have a 81-hour monthly and reserve guarantee.
Given the factors above, the salary below should only be considered an estimate of annual pay based on available sources.
How Did We Get These Numbers
All data used below is pulled from the latest contract between the United Parcel Service and the Independent Pilots Association, the union representing UPS pilots. These numbers were updated for 2024.
The pay estimates below don’t include any per diem, profit sharing, override pay, or 401k contributions which will increase overall compensation considerably.
Let’s explore the UPS cargo pilot salary in detail to understand what pilots can expect in terms of compensation:
UPS First Officer Salary
When you’re thinking about becoming a first officer for UPS one of the first things you’ll want to know is what is a UPS pilot salary. This role not only offers a competitive salary but also reflects the significant responsibilities and growth potential within the company. In this section, we delve into the specifics of what First Officers can expect in terms of compensation at UPS.
| Year 1 | $57,000 |
| Year 5 | $200,000 |
| Year 9 | $235,000 |
UPS Captain Salary
Reaching the position of a Captain at UPS will take considerable time. Captains enjoy significant UPS pilot pay. Here’s an estimate of how much you could earn as a captain at UPS.
| Year 1 | $57,000 |
| Year 5 | $312,000 |
| Year 15 | $329,000 |
UPS Pilot Salary Calculator
We’ve put together this simple calculator to give you an estimate of how much you could earn as a UPS pilot. This was put together using the 2024 pay scale from the Independent Pilots Association, the group that represents United Parcel Service pilots.
Discover how much pilots make for all the major and regional airlines in the USA on our pilot salary guide.
About UPS Cargo
UPS is a U.S Cargo airline that was founded in 1988, in Louisville, KY. Currently, UPS has close to 3,000 pilots working for them.
In 2019, UPS made $61 billion in revenue delivering close to 5.5 billion packages. UPS delivers about 22 million packages per day to over 200 countries.
Where are UPS Pilot Bases?
While there are UPS hubs around the world, the majority of UPS pilot bases are located in the United States.
- Anchorage, AK – ANC
- Miami, FL – MIA
- San Bernardino, CA – ONT
- Columbia, SC – CAE
- Chicago-Rockford, IL – RFD
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX – DFW
- Philadelphia, PA – PHL
- Hong Kong, China – HKG
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – KUL
- Shanghai-Pudong, China – PVG
- Shenzhen, China – SZX
- Cologne Bonn, Germany – CGN
- East Midlands, England – EMA
- Hamilton, Canada – YHM
What airplanes are in the UPS Fleet?
- Airbus A300-F4
- Boeing 747-100
- Boeing 747-200
- Boeing 747-400
- Boeing 747-800
- Boeing 747-SR
- Boeing 757-200
- Boeing 767-300
- McDonnell MD-11
What are the Hiring Requirements for UPS Pilots?
For UPS pilots there are two sets of requirements, or minimum qualifications. There are the regulatory requirements set by the FAA, TSA, DOT, and even FCC. Then there are the individual airline requirements for the job.
Regulatory Requirements:
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
- Current First Class Medical Certificate
- Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit
- Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge eligibility
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug test
- Successful completion of Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) evaluation
- 1500 hours fixed wing flight time
UPS Pilot Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Recent and type of experience will be considered; for example, preference given to candidates with demonstrated flight experience in transport category aircraft within the last 12 months from date of application.
- Minimum of 1,000 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) hours in fixed-wing jet and/or fixed-wing multi-engine turboprop per 14 CFR 1.1 (UPS will allow military candidates to add a plus (.3) per sortie factor to flight time.)
How Do I Apply for a UPS Pilot Job?
If you meet all of the qualifications listed above you can visit the UPS jobs website. At the time of writing, UPS doesn’t have any pilot jobs posted but you can sign up for alerts to find out when they start hiring again.
- About the Author
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Liz Brassaw is a first officer for a regional airline and the former Chief Pilot and Chief Flight Operations Officer for Thrust Flight. She holds an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, AMEL, ASES with over 2,500 hours of flight instruction given. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the Utah Valley University School of Aviation Sciences. She’s passionate about flying and enjoys instilling that love in the instructors on her team and the new students she trains.
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